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River Tone

The River Tone is a tributary of the River Parrett in Somerset, and is now partly navigable.

River Tone Map

A brief History

The Tone was historically navigable from Taunton to its confluence with the River Parrett at Stanmoor. Apart from an 0.8 mile section in Taunton, the statutory Right of Navigation was abolished in 1969 but nevertheless the common law right of navigation still exists. The current position, moving upstream from Stanmoor, is that there is a tidal section as far as Newbridge Sluice. Beyond Newbridge, the river is navigable until near the M5, and there are slipways that can be used providing permission is obtained from the Environment Agency. The River is not currently navigable from the M5 to Taunton, due to effect of flood prevention works in the 1960s.

Facts & Stats

9 miles

(14.5km)

total length of river once navigable

Waterway notes

Navigation authority

Waterway underfunding

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.

Sustainable Boating

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.

Waterways Heritage at Risk

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.

Waterway restoration

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