http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latest.cgi News, pictures and comments from Britain's best-selling waterway magazine. http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2147 London's Tube strike has caused passengers to take to bikes, buses, foot and extra boat services on the River Thames. Tue, 7 Sep 2010 17:32:41 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2146 The levels of the four reservoirs dedicated to feeding the Leeds and Liverpool Canal's summit are continuing to fill slowly, but it will still be some time before British Waterways will be able to re-open the canal between Wigan and Gargrave. The reservoirs are currently holding just 14.7% of their capacity, which is 1.6% more than last week's figure of 13.1%. At this time of year British Waterways would expect these levels to be around 60%. Levels will need to rise to around 20% before BW can consider re-opening the 60-mile closed section of canal. Tue, 7 Sep 2010 17:30:08 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2145 A public inquiry has started to determine whether people living on boats on the Driffield Canal must leave, after a row over planning rules. East Riding of Yorkshire Council have said the houseboats at Hempholme amount to "new dwellings", so are in breach of planning guidelines. The owners of two boats have appealed against council enforcement notices and a public inquiry is being held. Tue, 7 Sep 2010 16:03:32 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2144 Standedge Tunnel & Visitor Centre will be giving away special pieces of tunnel rock to the first 100 people to travel into the canal tunnel on Sunday 12 September. The free giveaway comes as part of Englands biggest and most popular voluntary cultural event Heritage Open Day 2010. Over 9,000 people have travelled through Standedge Tunnel so far during 2010, but in a first for the attraction, the individually wrapped pieces of tunnel rock will give visitors the opportunity to walk away with a very rare piece of one of the Seven Wonders of the Waterways. Tue, 7 Sep 2010 13:45:40 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2143 It all started a year ago when we were walking along the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal and we noticed a small group of people wearing red Waterway Recovery Group T-shirts. Most were cutting back over-hanging tree branches and one of the group, in the guise of Health and Safety, showed us around a minor obstruction on the canal path. It was pointed out to me that I would enjoy such an experience as I was interested in canals and it would give me something to do rather than being bored during my summer holidays. I must admit it seemed a rather idyllic thought, spending time in a lovely setting, not too arduous work and a feeling of saving a part of our industrial heritage. There was no doubt in my mind that next year I would be joining a similar group, wearing with pride my red T-shirt and helping to save our working history. Tue, 7 Sep 2010 11:09:17 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2142 A 19-year-old has plummeted to her death from a 120-foot aqueduct just hours after an angry text row with her boyfriend. Amy Louise Wright fell to her death at the Pontcysyllte canal bridge on Friday afternoon. The teenager was found dead by emergency services at the beauty spot near Llangollen, North Wales. Tue, 7 Sep 2010 10:46:40 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2141 A specialist animal rescue team of firefighters were called in to hoist a cow from the canal yesterday afternoon. The team from Caversham Road fire station used strops and lines to pull the animal from the water between Burghfield and Southcote locks on the Kennet and Avon Canal. The alarm was raised at 5. 13pm and the cow was released into the field unharmed at 6.08pm. Mon, 6 Sep 2010 14:06:54 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2140 Two pals on a boating holiday were stranded when thugs drained a canal after they refused to hand over cash. Boat owner Malachy Murray, 39, and friend Mark Cooper, 32, were travelling under a bridge on the Ashton canal in Manchester when a gang confronted them and demanded a mooring fee. When they refused, the thugs spat at them and chased Mark down the bank. The yobs then opened several lock gates and emptied the water leaving the narrowboat named Albert stranded overnight at Clayton. Mon, 6 Sep 2010 13:46:07 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2139 A canal boat has travelled along a stretch of waterway in Worcestershire for the first time in about 80 years. The boat travelled along the 250-year-old Barge Canal in Droitwich, which has been restored as part of a 12m project. British Waterways said it meant a vision to create a 21-mile (33.8 km) cruising ring around the scenic heart of the county was almost complete. The Junction Canal will open in 2011, providing the final link in the route. Mon, 6 Sep 2010 13:34:12 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2138 A colourful parade of 60 boats is set to journey along the Union Canal to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the reopening of the waterway. The event, on September 25 and 26, will see modern and historic vessels sail down the 32-mile stretch to form one of the Capital's largest flotillas. Taking part are some of the oldest and most unusual boats including one built in 1923, a collection of steam boats and some that are specially decorated. Mon, 6 Sep 2010 13:29:07 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2137 On Sunday 5 September, City Road Basin in Islington hosts the 24th Angel Canal Festival. The Festival takes place from 11am until 5pm and this free event brings boat trips, stalls, live music, dance, food, drink and much more to the Regents Canal in north London. The event will see a stilt-walking angel, a mobile belfry offering people the chance to try their hand at bell ringing, and entertainments in the new City Road Plaza area added to the busy programme. Fri, 3 Sep 2010 16:32:21 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2136 Shackerstone Family Festival returns with a vengeance this weekend, promising something for everyone. The event, which has been running for more than 15 years, brings together a large number of different family attractions that are centred around the village. The Ashby Canal runs through Shackerstone and the village is also home to the heritage steam railway, The Battlefield Line. But for one weekend in September, this sleepy Leicestershire village comes alive to the sounds of vintage vehicles, fairground rides, aircraft and no end of other unusual noises. Taking place this Saturday and Sunday, it promises to be as spectacular as ever. This event is run by the villagers of Shackerstone, members of the Shackerstone Railway Society and members of the Ashby Canal Association. Fri, 3 Sep 2010 16:29:51 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2135 A FLOCK of gleaming swans splashed noisily back into the waters of the River Nene on Wednesday (1st Sept) a week after being rescued from an oil spill. The 27 swans had been coated in motor oil which had leaked into the Peterborough waterway through a drainage culvert following torrential rain. Fri, 3 Sep 2010 15:14:33 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2134 Increasing, yet still rare, sightings of Red Swamp Crayfish, particularly on the Regents Canal in central London are causing ecologists concern because of the possibility of the species spreading across the country through the canals, decimating further the native White Clawed Crayfish population, says British Waterways ecologist Leela O'Dea. Native crayfish populations have already been severely affected by the spread of American Signal crayfish another American invasive species. Fri, 3 Sep 2010 15:11:32 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2133 The first canal boat to travel along the Barge Canal in around eighty years is due to enter the Barge Canal at River Lock, Hawford on 6 September. However, this is ahead of the canal being fully open to navigation, as due to low rainfall insufficient water is available to be abstracted from the River Salwarpe at present. Once water levels rise the navigation will be open. A fully restored Barge Canal means the vision of a 21-mile continuous cruising ring around the scenic heartland of Worcestershire is close to reality, with just the short link of the Junction Canal scheduled to open in 2011. Thu, 2 Sep 2010 15:23:49 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2132 Scores of families packed up picnics and joined the fun and games when a milestone for Bath's industrial heritage provided cause for celebration. Visitors packed into Sydney Gardens for the Holburne Museum Picnic in the Park on Sunday, celebrating the 200th anniversary of the completion of the Kennet and Avon Canal. Thu, 2 Sep 2010 14:46:05 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2131 British Waterways is auctioning over 40 redundant workboats in an online sale. The auction, which finishes on 29 September 2010, includes workboats, hoppers, a selection of British Waterways' historic craft, boat engines and more. Thu, 2 Sep 2010 14:40:26 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2130 Ripon canal basin played host to 18 teams battling for glory at the fifth annual Great Ripon Raft Race at the weekend. One highlight at the event organised by the Scuba Diving for All charity was a race between Ripon's Mayor, David Elsy, and three visiting Mayors in swan pedalos. Thu, 2 Sep 2010 14:32:27 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2129 A woman who bravely went into a bitterly cold canal to save a man from drowning is to receive a national award. Carla Richardson, 39, of Riddlesden, near Keighley, is to be presented with a Royal Humane Society Testimonial on Parchment for carrying out the rescue in the Leeds-Liverpool Canal. The drama unfolded last October when she heard a splash and looked out of her living room window to see the man lying face down in the canal near her home. Wed, 1 Sep 2010 15:52:53 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2128 The Duchess of Cornwall will return to the Wilts and Berks Canal on Wednesday, September 8, to help celebrate its 200th anniversary. Camilla, who is a patron of the Wilts and Berks Canal Trust, will celebrate the 200th anniversary of the opening of the canal by naming, and travelling on, the canals first purpose-built boat trip for visitors. She will also be digging the first sod to create the new Melksham Link at Hilperton Marina. Wed, 1 Sep 2010 15:43:53 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2127 Farmers with properties on the canal have hit out at British Waterways for failing to repair leaks in a canal and endangering the livelihoods of businesses. A group of farming friends have voiced their anger to the company, which closed a 64-mile stretch of the canal from Gargrave to Wigan for boating on August 2. Wed, 1 Sep 2010 15:34:09 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2126 Vandals have caused mayhem at the L&L Canal on the outskirts of Blackburn. It doesn't sound too hopeful that the stretch will be cleaned up any time soon. British Waterways has very limited funds and resources to tidy up the mess caused by vandals and fly-tipping. Wed, 1 Sep 2010 15:31:45 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2125 Apirates weekend in Stourport has been hailed a success by organisers. Captain Slyther and his pirate ship, The Flying Pig, were seen lurking at Stourport canal basins on Sunday and Monday. Visitors also took a trip aboard the canal trip boat, Dreamcatcher and families scoured the town and basins to hunt for clues to the secret password to unlock the pirates treasure chest. Wed, 1 Sep 2010 15:28:05 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2124 Toxic algae has contaminated the canal in East Lancashire prompting a major health warning. People are being advised to avoid contact with the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. The outbreak is the latest blow to hit the waters which remain closed due to 'water shortages'. The restrictions are being partly blamed for the extent of the blue green algae outbreak. British Waterways said the lack of water movement had allowed the water to stagnate and bacteria to grow, while high winds helped it to spread. Wed, 1 Sep 2010 15:20:28 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2123 The new Aylesbury Waterside scheme is to include the restoration of the canal basin and a stunning new entertainment hub featuring a brand new theatre on its doorstep. Wed, 1 Sep 2010 14:25:10 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2122 Ministers have been falling over themselves to offer massive cuts, with Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman leading the way. Mrs Spelman has identified up to 30 quangos to be downsized or axed. She will cut grants to British Waterways and scrap a 50million plan for a UK coastal path. Wed, 1 Sep 2010 10:48:38 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2121 More than 170 people attended a special performance at Stourport canal basins. Wed, 1 Sep 2010 09:31:26 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2120 Raiders looted 10 narrowboats moored on the Trent and Mersey Canal in Staffordshire then stole a boat to cart away their haul. Thu, 26 Aug 2010 16:26:36 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2119 There is little cheer for boaters and waterway businesses in the latest reservoir statistics from British Waterways. The Leeds and Liverpool Canal's reservoir levels are recovering only slowly and there does not appear to be much prospect of the central part of this canal re-opening in the near future. Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:30:54 GMT http://www.waterwaysworld.com/latestpost.cgi?post=2118 A new housing complex has been officially opened by the chairman of Watford Borough Council. Councillor Alan Burtenshaw cut the ribbon at Willow Grange, Church Road on Thursday. Thu, 26 Aug 2010 10:56:22 GMT