75% of Britain’s waterways face financial peril as almost all brace for heavier winter rainfall - Inland Waterways Association

IWA has produced a first-of-its-kind map revealing the likely impact of 2oC degrees warming on Britain’s 5,000-mile network of canals and navigable rivers, as well as other risks.

Britain’s unique canal and river network faces a “perfect storm” of underinvestment and climate risk – as reported in The Guardian today.

• Three-quarters of Britain’s canals face financial insecurity, with the majority of the nation’s navigation authorities struggling to maintain essential infrastructure amid declining funding;
• Climate pressures are intensifying, with new mapping showing every waterway in Britain will face greater risk from drought in summer and floods in winter; and
• The combination of reduced funding and rising climate impacts creates a “perfect storm” for the nation’s 5,000-mile canal and river network, threatening heritage, navigation, tourism, wildlife, utilities, homes, communities and businesses.

Following the Climate Change Committee’s warning to government to prepare for 2oC warming by 2050, the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) has published a first-of-its-kind map revealing the likely impact of this warming on Britain’s 5,000-mile network of canals and navigable rivers.

Facing a dual crisis of funding and climate resilience, the new map reveals 99% of Britain’s navigable inland waterways are at risk. The research from the only national charity that campaigns for all the country’s canals and river navigations finds that 75% of canals are financially insecure, while 99% are expected to experience increased winter rainfall, threatening infrastructure already struggling with years of underinvestment. 

Posted On: 03/11/2025

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