Celebrate 50 years of Britain's brilliant revitalised waterways

Picture courtesy of the Canal River Trust

This year Britain’s waterways celebrate 50 years of renaissance – turning from a national disgrace into a national treasure with the power to improve the happiness and wellbeing of millions of people across the nation.

Many of Greater Manchester canals and rivers [including the Rochdale Canal, Ashton Canal, Huddersfield Narrow local canal and Peak Forest canal] were saved from dereliction and destruction by the 1968 British Transport Act, and with the hard work of volunteers and canal lovers the waterways have become vital outdoor spaces that reach into the heart of many towns and cities.

To mark this anniversary the waterways and wellbeing charity Canal & River Trust is organising practical volunteering events, Towpath Taskforces, across Greater Manchester throughout July and calling for more people than ever to experience the benefits of visiting their local historic and beautiful waterways.

No experience is necessary to join one of these practical groups that meet regularly to carry out tasks such as litter-picking, clearing vegetation, gardening, painting lock gates and making small repairs.

Volunteers can join one event or take part regularly.

The Canal & River Trust is calling for everyone who loves to be outdoors and would like to make a difference to their historic canals, their local community and to their own health and wellbeing to join one of the events to mark the 50th anniversary.

Fifty 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.

Half a century ago the canals were often derelict, dangerous and at risk of destruction until a single piece of legislation, the 1968 British Transport Act, helped transform them into places for leisure and inspired a growing movement of passionate canal lovers to restore and campaign for their survival.

Over half of the population of Greater Manchester live within a short distance of a waterway, ensuring that the most heavily populated communities have easy access to outdoor space that is completely free to use.

For further details of your local canal, activities or Towpath Taskforce events visit www.canalrivertrust.org.uk