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Canal & River Trust

Impact Report 2024-25: A vital connector for people, boats, nature, places and for a brighter future

Canal & River Trust's Impact Report 2024-25 sets out how the charity's 2,000-mile network of canals and rivers is serving as a vital connector for people, nature and communities - with over 4 million people living within 10-15 minutes of a Green Flag-awarded canal, 90% towpath user satisfaction, and continued investment in accessible blue and green space and community wellbeing programmes.

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Maintenance and restoration of a 2,000-mile network of canals, towpaths, navigable rivers, docks and reservoirs; provision of accessible blue and green space; community engagement programmes; habitat and wildlife management along waterways Custom geography from upload: England

Key Metrics

Key Metric 1 Over 4 million people living within 10-15 minutes of one of the Trust's 741 miles of Green Flag-awarded canals
Key Metric 2 90% towpath user satisfaction recorded across the network
Key Metric 3 77% of adults living within 1km of a Trust waterway are aware of it and recognise its value to them personally or their local community

Key Outcomes

  • Delivery of Green Flag-standard accessible blue and green space to millions of people on their doorstep
  • Programmes such as Swim Sista Swim helping build confidence and connection to water for underrepresented communities
  • Continued protection of historic canal infrastructure and precious wildlife habitats against increasing strain from severe weather events

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