Lincolnshire Boats Embark on Epic Voyage to Save Britain’s Waterways

A spirited fleet of boats set sail from Lincolnshire to London today, trumpeting a clarion call to preserve Britain’s treasured rivers and canals. The ‘Fund Britain’s Waterways’ campaign organisers, sounding the alarm on the deteriorating infrastructure, lament the lack of sufficient funding to keep our waterways shipshape. A spirited group of 15 boats commenced their nationwide odyssey on the River Trent at Gainsborough, aiming to conclude their journey at the Houses of Parliament. The campaign is buoyed by the support of approximately 130 organisations that value UK’s aquatic arteries. The government, acknowledging the critical role these groups play, has expressed its support. Gainsborough resounded with the honks of the boats and cheers from spectators this morning. David Pullen, the East Midlands chair of the Inland Waterways Association, highlighted that government funding has not kept pace with inflation over the past five years, exacerbating the strain on the waterways infrastructure, some of which dates back to the Industrial Revolution. He warned of the irreversible consequences if these waterways are allowed to deteriorate. Many of Lincolnshire’s waterways, he noted, are silt-ridden, thereby increasing the risk of flooding and in dire need of investment. Andy Jee, a volunteer from the Canals and River Trust charity, underscored the pivotal role of waterways in climate change management. He cautioned that their neglect could lead to missed opportunities in future, especially in water supply for drought-prone areas. The journey of these boats, some of which will traverse the country’s rivers, is expected to culminate in London this May. A spokesperson for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs affirmed their recognition of the importance of inland waterways, citing an annual grant of £52.6 million to the Canal and River Trust, with an additional commitment of £401 million over 10 years from 2027.