Recently published, a new report produced by the Canal & River Trust aims to show how vital the UK’s waterway network can be as the Government tries to tackle climate change. The 30-page Climate Adaptation Report spells out how important canals and waterways are and how they can be part of action against problems such as storms, flooding and drought, which have badly affected areas of the UK.
It highlights how the 2000 miles of canals and waterways, and 84 reservoirs, across England and Wales have adapted from their original roles and can now become a vital infrastructure as the country deals with climate change threats.
The Climate Adaptation Report also claims the charity will need an extra £15 million a year to combat global warming.
Richard Parry, chief executive of Canal & River Trust, said: “Our historic canal network fulfils a range of uses far beyond what was anticipated when the canals were first dug by hand. Many people don’t realise that these man-made waterways carry out so many important functions and need constant care and maintenance to keep them open and available to all. Linking towns and cities across the country and on the doorstep of millions of people, it is important for canals to be part of the Government’s national climate change reporting framework.”
The Climate Adaptation Report, which has been submitted to the Government, states that the canal network was the most important infrastructure project of its day, making the Industrial Revolution possible. It says: “A legacy of that pioneering engineering, today’s navigable canals continue to be repurposed and are at the heart of many communities, providing a range of economic, social and environmental benefits on the doorstep of around 10 million people.
“The places around canals have also changed beyond recognition and continue to be a focus for development and regeneration, making the canal network an enabler for growth. Meanwhile, the canals themselves are vital conduits for critical national infrastructure including pipes and cables for the UK’s energy, telecommunications and water supply networks.”
The Climate Adaptation Report provides evidence into how climate change affects the canal network and its associated structures and habitats, now and in the future. It shares the top 12 biggest risks, including flooding, drought, subsidence, structural damage and ecological degradation, and describes how the Canal & River Trust manages them, illustrated by case studies.
Download the full report: Climate Adaption Report