River Leven

Along with its many environmental and flood defence responsibilities, the Environment Agency is the navigation authority for 630 miles of inland waterways – such as the Thames and the Medway in the south east – and many waterways in East Anglia.

Restoring the UK’s blue infrastructure – our inherited network of navigable canals and rivers – is good for people and places.

Hundreds of miles of waterways – along with their unique heritage and habitats – are currently starved of funding and rely on constant lobbying by us to safeguard their future.

We want boating on canals and rivers to be more sustainable and – even though the current overall contribution to UK carbon emissions is very small – we want to help reduce emissions on the waterways.

Britain’s canals and rivers are a unique, living heritage. But that heritage is at risk – from urban development, lack of protection, loss of skills and knowledge and climate change.

You can help Save Waterways Heritage.

Restoring the UK’s blue infrastructure – our inherited network of navigable canals and rivers – is good for people and places.