'National Trust for the waterways' created
The government has announced that a new Canal & River Trust will receive more than £1 billion of funding.
The trust will become a ‘National Trust for the waterways’ according to environment minister Richard Benyon and will receive unprecedented funding for a new charity to help it look after the inland waterway network.
Mr Benyon said: ‘The Canal & River Trust will maintain and restore 2,000 miles of heritage sites, wildlife habitats and open spaces, so that we can all enjoy them for generations to come.
‘Our £1bn investment will get this new charity off to the strongest start possible and let local communities and volunteers shape the future of our world-famous waterways.’
The financial support is split between a property endowment worth £460million and £800million of funding spread over the next 15 years.