It is good to see canals getting attention as a place people actually want to be – but that popularity does not pay for their upkeep.
What Fund Britain’s Waterways shared
On X, Fund Britain’s Waterways pointed to a piece in The Times, “Why canals are summer 2026’s hottest hangouts”, and added a note of caution: canals are the new trendy place to be, which is great, but their continuing vibrancy and even existence are threatened by underinvestment.
It is a fair point to make. More visitors than ever are drawn to the towpath, yet the money needed to keep these waterways watered, navigable and safe has not kept up. A canal can be fashionable and still be at risk of running dry or closing for repairs. You can read the original post on the Fund Britain’s Waterways X account.
Why the campaign matters
Fund Britain’s Waterways is a coalition of more than 160 organisations speaking up for the hundreds of thousands of people who use and love Britain’s canals and rivers. Its argument is straightforward: the network needs sustainable, long-term government funding rather than occasional top-ups. Where maintenance is underfunded, the consequences are closures, emergency repairs and stretches that boats can no longer reach.
If you agree that our canals deserve proper support, please sign the petition at change.org and help spread the word using #FundBritainsWaterways.
