Following the Climate Change Committee’s warning to the UK Government to prepare for 2oC warming by 2050, the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) has produced a first-of-its-kind map revealing the likely impact of 2oC degrees warming on Britain’s 5,000-mile network of canals and navigable rivers, as well as other risks.
IWA has examined the risks facing our waterways following several winters of severe flooding damage, the worst being the collapse of the Bridgewater Canal on New Year’s Day this year, as well as the hottest Spring on record which has resulted in large sections of the system closing due to low water levels.
They have developed a traffic light system to identify the condition of Britain’s waterways:
- Red
Severe funding deficit and uncertainty about future - Amber
Moderate funding threat, potential for situation to deteriorate in future - Green
Currently financially stable
Most of Britain’s waterways fall within the Amber category, but amongst the Red catgeory are waterways maintained by the Conservators of the River Cam. The report also highlights heritage features at risk.
Further details here: https://waterways.org.uk/campaign-map
Industrial Heritage Support 