Kennet & Avon Canal gains ‘cruiseway’ status

Waterscape.com -

British Waterways has announced that following a public consultation by the Department for Food and Rural Affairs, the waterways sponsoring government department, the Kennet & Avon Canal is now classified as having ‘cruiseway’ status.

The reclassification, backed by British Waterways, The Kennet & Avon Canal Trust and Trade Association, and by canal supporters, means that the historic, 87-mile long waterway has been upgraded from ‘remainder’ status – one step above a derelict canal – to that of a national ‘cruiseway’.

This important decision comes following a year of celebrations to mark the canal’s 200th anniversary. It’s also 20 years since the navigation was reopened to the public and 10 years after the hugely successful Lottery supported restoration project.

British Waterways’ waterway manager, Mark Stephens said: “British Waterways has, in reality, been managing the Kennet & Avon Canal as if it has had cruiseway status since its multi-million pound restoration.

“We think that the formalisation of this status is beneficial to the canal, helping to secure its long term future by legally stating that the canal should be maintained to a level whereby cruising craft, such as narrowboats, can safely navigate the length of the canal.

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