Latest news with #canal
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Water shortage could close county's canals
The organisation that runs England's waterways says parts of the Grand Union Canal could close later this month unless there is more rain. Restrictions on using some locks in Northamptonshire were imposed on Friday. The Canal and River Trust (CRT) says they could be taken out of action completely on Tuesday if water levels do not improve. Traders who sell their wares from narrowboats say they are worried about the situation. On Friday, the CRT introduced limited opening hours on the Grand Union Canal's locks in the Braunston, Buckby and Stoke Bruerne areas, numbered 1 to 20. Boats can use them only between 10:00 and 15:00 BST. The trust said that, if levels did not improve, they would be closed to boats around the clock from 26 August. The Northampton Arm, which runs from the Gayton Junction on the Grand Union to the Nene in Northampton, will be closed to boats from 16:00 BST on 20 August. The CRT said: "Our charity's teams and volunteers have been working round the clock to manage water levels but, with such little rainfall and reservoir holdings dwindling, we've had to temporarily close some locks to boats. "This will help us save water to help keep boats afloat, protect the wildlife that lives in the canal, and safeguard the canal infrastructure itself." The trust added that although there had been some downpours recently, sustained rain was needed to top up the reservoirs that feed the canals. It said the canals would reopen as soon as water levels allowed and it was "grateful to boaters for their support and patience". Daisy Hampshire, whose floating cafe Daisy's Bakin' Butty is a familiar sight on Northamptonshire's waterways, is hoping the weather turns. She said: "The news of the lock closures has been expected but obviously worrying for us as traders, although for the time being we are able to continue attending our next two festivals. "We're not planning long term because it depends on rain, but the likelihood is that we will have to stay in this area until we get a significant rainfall in order to return home." The CRT said towpaths would remain open for walkers, cyclists and those who want to spend time near the water. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. More on this story Boaters stuck at Foxton Locks due to low water levels Canal locks to reopen after two-month closure 'If we lose the canals, we are homeless' Related internet links Canal and River Trust
BBC News
2 days ago
- Climate
- BBC News
Water shortage could close Northamptonshire's canals
The organisation that runs England's waterways says parts of the Grand Union Canal could close later this month unless there is more on using some locks in Northamptonshire were imposed on Canal and River Trust (CRT) says they could be taken out of action completely on Tuesday if water levels do not who sell their wares from narrowboats say they are worried about the situation. On Friday, the CRT introduced limited opening hours on the Grand Union Canal's locks in the Braunston, Buckby and Stoke Bruerne areas, numbered 1 to can use them only between 10:00 and 15:00 trust said that, if levels did not improve, they would be closed to boats around the clock from 26 Northampton Arm, which runs from the Gayton Junction on the Grand Union to the Nene in Northampton, will be closed to boats from 16:00 BST on 20 August. The CRT said: "Our charity's teams and volunteers have been working round the clock to manage water levels but, with such little rainfall and reservoir holdings dwindling, we've had to temporarily close some locks to boats."This will help us save water to help keep boats afloat, protect the wildlife that lives in the canal, and safeguard the canal infrastructure itself."The trust added that although there had been some downpours recently, sustained rain was needed to top up the reservoirs that feed the said the canals would reopen as soon as water levels allowed and it was "grateful to boaters for their support and patience". Daisy Hampshire, whose floating cafe Daisy's Bakin' Butty is a familiar sight on Northamptonshire's waterways, is hoping the weather said: "The news of the lock closures has been expected but obviously worrying for us as traders, although for the time being we are able to continue attending our next two festivals. "We're not planning long term because it depends on rain, but the likelihood is that we will have to stay in this area until we get a significant rainfall in order to return home."The CRT said towpaths would remain open for walkers, cyclists and those who want to spend time near the water. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Bloomberg
3 days ago
- Politics
- Bloomberg
The Panama Canal Finds Itself at the Center of the World
The US and China have made the canal a major focus of their geopolitical squabble. It's the Central American nation's chance to take the win. Save This is the Weekend Edition of Bloomberg Opinion Today, a roundup of the most popular stories Bloomberg Opinion publishes each week based on web readership. New subscribers can sign up here; follow us on Bluesky, TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn and Threads. Read the whole thing.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Canal runs so dry that nearby residents are putting out water for the geese
A FLOCK of canal geese has defiantly stuck to one water-sparse stretch of the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal, thanks to residents who have begun placing buckets of water along the banks. Local resident Michele de Souza explained that the geese have been part of the community for years and have never faced conditions like this. 'It's never been this low before,' she said. 'I grew up here and I've never seen it this dry. There are better patches here and there, but here it's quickly receding and becoming just mud. "A couple of us have started putting out water for the geese. They're part of our community and we'd miss them if they moved on.' Boots the goose and friend dip into a bucket of water, provided by residents who want to keep their flock on the canal. (Image: NQ) So why is the canal drying out? The answer lies in recent changes to water abstraction laws. The canal has historically drawn water from the River Usk, but new licensing rules imposed by Natural Resources Wales have severely restricted this. The Usk is a designated Special Area of Conservation, and the new conditions aim to protect it. As a result, the canal has lost its primary water source. An emergency agreement with Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water will supply water for one year, but the company warns that extending this could affect other customers. In response to mounting pressure, including a 14,000-signature petition and cross-party support, the Welsh Government has pledged £5 million to upgrade pumping station services that feed the canal. Campaigning group the Canal & River Trust says new environmental agreements will pose major operational and financial challenges. They argue the canal is more than a scenic route, it supports tourism, biodiversity, and community well-being. The charity's director, Mark Evans, said: 'The emergency short-term supply of water we've secured is vital to ensure the integrity of the canal. Our charity is uncertain how long this stop-gap measure can last, it depends on rainfall and other factors, but it will help secure the canal for the coming weeks. 'Buying water at commercial prices is not a sustainable solution to the situation created by the new legislation, nor is our charity in a position to fund capital costs for additional infrastructure work.' Boots the goose, pictured above, is unaware of all the fuss and feathers of the issue.
Daily Mail
10-08-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mail
We sold our three-bedroom house to live on a narrowboat full time - we love our lifestyle but there's a disgusting downside
A couple who sold their three-bedroom house to live on a narrowboat full time have revealed all about their lifestyle. Paul and Anthony Smith-Storey opted to ditch land for life on the canal back in October 2020 after selling their home. 'We'd nearly paid our mortgage off, and we thought, what's the point, we have no kids who are we going to leave it to? Let's have a bit of fun,' Paul, 57, exclusively tells the Daily Mail. They were inspired to take the leap and bought a brand new boat after meeting a woman who had made the same lifestyle move and told them 'it was the best thing she'd ever done'. Since then, the couple of 25 years haven't looked back and now enjoy sailing around the country with their Labradoodle called Sebastian. 'We live full time on the canals, we're continuous cruisers, so we don't have a home mooring, which means that we just keep moving all the time and exploring the canals,' Paul explains. 'But we love it, and we couldn't imagine going back to a house to be honest.' However, the former magician reveals there's one downside to life on the boat, and it involves the toilet. 'We can dispose of grey water, which is water from your sink when you're doing your dishes, and water from your shower,' Paul says. 'But your toilet, you've got to clean your toilet out every week.' Paul adds: 'Some people have a pump-out, which is done at a paid point, usually in a marina, we have a separator or compost toilet, which we think is the best option for a continuous cruiser.' A separator toilet works by splitting solid and liquid waste into different compartments. The liquid waste is often disposed of at specific locations, while the solid is composted. Paul describes other challenges to boat life, including having to maintain the blacking on the hull, and occasionally bumping into a 'grumpy boater'. Despite this, the couple still love their way of life and even think it will be a permanent move. 'We have said we think it could be easier in a house, but we would really miss this lifestyle,' Paul explains. 'And we said, as we get older and maybe we can't operate the locks, we would probably get a linear mooring somewhere, but we can't imagine going back to bricks and mortar.' The couple have found a community on the canal, and Paul describes it as a 'linear village'. He adds: 'We've made so many amazing friends and you go along the canal and because we've been doing it for five years, you get to know more and more boaters, and people say it's like a long it's like a linear village, and it really is. 'People are so willing to help you out.' The pair share their canal stories on their YouTube channel, Narrowboat Life Unlocked, and Anthony works as a sonographer while Paul creates wildlife art. As for their favourite spots to drop the anchor, Paul shares they enjoy the Llangollen canal in Wales. 'We spent three winters in Llangollen basin, and it's about a 20 mile stretch of canal,' he says. 'It's got a flow on it, which most canals don't have, so it doesn't tend to freeze, although it did do a couple of years ago.' Winter brings its own challenges to canal life too, and Paul reveals they were frozen in for 11 days on one occasion Paul adds, 'You go over the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, which is the highest aqueduct in the world. 'It's a really beautiful little town, and it's just magical. At Christmas, they've got the steam train running, so we've done that for three years in a row, and it's just a lovely place to be in winter.' Winter brings its own challenges to canal life too, and Paul reveals they were frozen in for 11 days on one occasion. 'We were frozen in for 11 days a couple of years ago, and it was our favourite time on the canal,' Paul says. 'We've got all the winter migratory birds flying over, we've got the snow on the ground. It was crisp and beautiful sunsets and sunrises and no boat traffic, nobody going past.' Despite toilet cleaning, frozen canals and any other challenges narrowboating brings, the couple adore their time on the water. 'We absolutely love the lifestyle,' Paul gushes.
