Project Overview:
The challenge of restoring the Wilts & Berks Canal is that it has been abandoned for nearly 100 years. The Wilts and Berks Canal Trust, and its predecessor the Amenity Group, have re-discovered the canal and its structures and have set about the task of full restoration. Considering the passage of time, it is surprising that much of the rural part of the canal still exists. With a moderate amount of clearance it can, and is being brought back to its original standard. Ownership of the canal passed to adjacent landowners when the canal was abandoned. The Trust has bought and leased some sections and aims to complete this process for the 60miles of the canal as a priority . The Trust always wishes to promote a good relationship with the current owners and therefore would ask anyone wishing to explore the canal line, to check that there are public rights of access. When restored the Trust aims to have maximum accessibility for all on the towpath.
The structures are a bigger challenge as where the exist they are mostly derelict. Major road crossing are likely to be the most expensive part of restoration. Parts of the route have been built on in the Cricklade, Melksham, Abingdon and Swindon and alternatives to the historic line have been planned in these locations
The Trust is a member of a the Wilts & Berks Canal Partnership which embraces all the Local Authorities along the route, Statutory Authorities and other interested organisations.
Twinned Organisations
The Wilts and Berks Canal is pleased to be twinned with the Nantes a Brest canal. Further information can be found here.
10 year Plan to 2014
The Trust intends to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Act of Abandonment (1914) by having a major part of the canal restored.
The Partnership in conjunction with the Trust has developed a plan to re-connect the canal to the national network. Four Flagship schemes are being put in action at the junctions at Semington (Kennet and Avon Canal), Abingdon (River Thames), Cricklade (Thames and Severn Canal), Swindon ( Main line with North Wilts). Future schemes will be the M4 crossing at Swindon, A34 crossing near Abingdon, Grove/Wantage.
The Trust's ten year plan is to extend the Flagship schemes by restoring lengths of canal and associated structures.
Full details of the 10 year plan are shown elsewhere on this site
| The Aim of the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust |
| To protect, conserve and improve the route of the Wilts & Berks and North Wilts Canals, and branches, for the benefit of the community and environment, with the ultimate goal of restoring a continuous navigable waterway linking the Kennett & Avon at or near Melksham, the River Thames at or near Abingdon, and the Thames and Severn Canal at or near Cricklade. |
| The Objectives of the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust |
|
| Charity |
| The Trust is a Registered Charity (Charity No. 299595) with the structure of a Non-profit making Company Limited by Guarantee (registered in England Reg. No. 2267719).
Registered Address: |