Waterways across north west celebrate 50 years of renaissance

Rochdale Canal at Sandbrook Park

Thursday 25 October marks 50 years of renaissance for the canal network across the north west following the passing of an important piece of legislation which helped to save Britain’s waterways from dereliction.

Half a century ago, having fallen into decline due to the advent of motorways and railways as the key transport routes for industry, waterways were, in many instances, at risk of being lost forever.

The 1968 British Transport Act changed this and helped establish the waterways as places for leisure. This helped a growing movement of passionate canal lovers across the county to restore and campaign for their survival. Today, waterways such as Leeds & Liverpool Canal, Rochdale Canal, Lancaster Canal, and Shropshire Union Canal are more popular than ever with more visitors on the towpath and more boats than at any time in living memory.

To mark this anniversary the waterways and wellbeing charity Canal & River Trust, which looks after these and several other canals in the north west, is encouraging local people to experience the benefits of visiting and supporting their local historic and beautiful waterway.

With ever increasing rates of physical and mental health conditions in the UK, the Trust believes waterways are uniquely placed to make a significant contribution to improving the wellbeing of the nation, with millions of people living within easy reach of one of the towpaths running alongside its canals and rivers. Indeed, independent research published recently shows that simply spending time by the waterways can make you happier and improve your life satisfaction.

Daniel Greenhalgh, regional director for the Canal & River Trust, said: “Our waterways have seen remarkable change from carrying freight, through their use for leisure activities to a new era for improving the wellbeing of visitors.

“In 1968 many of our canals were within a hair’s breadth of being lost forever.  50 years on, canals are more popular with more visitors on the towpath and more boats than ever before.  And research from the Trust shows that spending time by the waterways makes people happier and improves their life satisfaction.

“We know that there is still much work to be done to ensure that our canals are cherished as special local places everywhere.  We want people to experience this local waterway - to come and visit and see the autumn colours or to join us with one of our regular volunteering opportunities.”

Find out more about local canals: 

https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/canal-and-river-network/rochdale-canal