Hickling To Barkestone-Le-Vale

Somebody Should Do Something!

But who should do something?

When pressed, many lay the blame for the weeded up state of the canal at the feet of the water board, the council or even the environment!

Google Grantham Canal and you'll easily find the Grantham Canal Society So is this where the blame lies?

Ownership and, thereby overall responsibility of the Grantham Canal, has passed through a number of hands during its 220 plus years. Presently, it's the turn of the Canal and River Trust to hold the title deeds.

So why doesn't the Canal and River Trust clear the weeds and dredge the canal? The Trust is not obliged to in law. Blame the 1968 Transport Act! It is no coincidence that the Grantham Canal Society was formed in 1969, shortly after this Act of Parliament was given Royal assent.

With the legal obligation to keep a good depth of water in the canal now removed, one local authority had eyes on it for landfill, with others keen to follow. The Grantham Canal Society, along with other groups, successfully campaigned to prevent the canal from being obliterated from the landscape for ever.

For 20 years the Society negotiated with the then owners of the canal, British Waterways, before it would allow any restoration work. During these campaigning years, another major threat, which, had it not been defeated, would have put paid to any prospect of the canal being restored. The National Coal Board planned to sink a new super mine in the Vale of Belvoir. With underground tunnels linking this to the new pit at Asfordby and to the existing one at Cotgrave; resulting subsidence would likely have undermined any prospect of ever restoring the canal.

It's not just about the boats, but it needs the boats. Only a fully navigable canal will ensure its future for generations to come. This is why the Grantham Canal Society concentrates its resources into restoring the infrastructure; the locks and bridges. Dredging and weed cutting is often an integral part of each funding package.

If this important part of our industrial heritage; rural delight and vital wildlife corridor is to be saved from oblivion; the Grantham Canal Society accepts that – if you want something doing – sometimes you just have to do it yourself!

With the formation of the Canal and River Trust in 2012, we find ourselves in a new era of optimism. The Trust is supportive of our efforts in restoring this fabulous waterway.