Image description: two cyclists travelling on a gravel track past two house boats on a river. Image by Siggy Nowak from Pixabay
The Inland Waterways Association (IWA) has warned three-quarters of the country’s waterways face financial peril as the country braces for heavier winter rainfall and intensifying summer droughts.
The independent charity, which advocates for Britain’s canals and rivers, published a first-of-its-kind climate risk map showing that 99% of navigable waterways will face heightened risk under a predicted 2°C global heating scenario.
For its risk map, the IWA graded navigation authorities from severe deficit (red) to financially stable (green). About 75% fell into red or amber categories, including the Environment Agency and the Cam Conservancy, which acknowledged it could not meet all its commitments.
Areas of concern include the Pennines and the Midlands, where higher-ground reservoirs feed several canal systems and where droughts are expected to worsen. Sections of the Leeds and Liverpool canal were closed from May to September due to low water levels.
Waterways as critical infrastructure
According to the Canal & River Trust (CRT), referenced in the report, waterways provide free public access to nature for more than 10 million people, save the NHS an around £1.1bn annually, support over 80,000 jobs and act as green corridors for wildlife.
The trust manages about 2,000 miles of waterways, including roughly 80% of Britain’s navigable canals, and receives the largest share of government funding for waterways. However, rising climate-related demands reportedly mean state support remains insufficient to maintain its network. CRT Chief Executive Campbell Robb said emergency repairs following eight named storms last winter has cost the charity £10m.
After the CRT, the remaining 20% of the canal network and about 3,000 miles of navigable waterways are overseen by authorities including the Environment Agency, Scottish Canals, the Broads Authority, and smaller independent bodies. Nearly 80% of local authorities have a navigable waterway in their area.
The IWA is calling for a government review to define sustainable, long-term funding. Charlie Norman, the IWA’s director of campaigns said: “Millions now will save billions in the future.” He believes increased government investment would allow authorities to reinforce infrastructure, reduce flood risk and support water transfer schemes to alleviate drought, protecting navigation, heritage, economic activity and environmental benefits. In contrast, he warns “without intervention, this vital, historic network faces irreversible decline by 2050.”