Campaigners warn key canal locks at risk of failure

A campaign has been launched to protect a historic canal network amid concerns the waterways are deteriorating.

The Help Our Canal campaign says several key lock systems on Bridgwater and Taunton Canal in Somerset could fail without investment.

Georgina Hooper leads the community campaign and said: "Without locks, the canals die because they silt up, you don't get any movement of boats. It's going to affect all the biodiversity we have."

The Canal and River Trust, which maintains the waterways, said it was amazing to have "great support for the canal".

A trust spokesperson said: "It is an asset for the local community – working heritage still serving local people as it has been for the past two centuries.

"But, in being so old, the canal requires constant care and attention. Our commitment to the canal is reflected by the planned repairs and ongoing maintenance programme by our charity, which includes the work of our amazing volunteers."

The campaign focuses on three critical "pinch points" along the canal infrastructure, which the campaigners say are "failing".

These are Lower Maunsel Lock, Higher Maunsel Lock and Firepool Lock - which could all cost hundreds of thousands of pounds to fully replace.

Hooper said: "The canal is fantastic for boaters, paddleboarders, anglers, walkers, kayakers.

"We are trying to raise awareness for people to actually make sure that we keep our canal because our locks desperately need replacing."

Ryan Chorley, owner of the Somerset Boat Centre, which backs the campaign, said the canal itself was in good condition but the locks were not.

"The reality is that government has cut funding to the Canal and River Trust and they manage an ageing network across the country," Chorley added.

In February, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) announced an additional £6.5m government funding to make sure the canal network continued to operate safely.

Water Minister Emma Hardy said the UK's historic canals and waterways were "world famous and precious to communities across the country".

She added: "They are also a vital part of our national infrastructure, delivering environmental, social and economic benefits."

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