Peter Dowd MP and around 50 other parliamentarians, joined colleagues and representatives from the Canal & River Trust to celebrate the charity’s tenth anniversary and to learn more about its work in Bootle.

The Canal & River Trust protects and preserves more than 2,000 miles of waterways across England and Wales – a network that is used by millions of people. Including the Liverpool and Leeds Canal, which runs through Bootle.

Under the Trust’s stewardship, our canals now have more boats than ever before and are used by more people than at any time in history. The Trust brings vital green and blue space to the doorstep of millions of people in towns and cities where access to this space is vital for improving community wellbeing and to tackle health inequalities.

Attendees at the reception heard about the continued need for funding and support to safeguard the waterways, with the 250-year-old ageing and vulnerable network exposed to changing weather patterns, and how a more resilient network will help society mitigate the effects of climate change in the years ahead by providing sustainable transport routes into towns and cities, delivering flood mitigation, water transfer, a supply of green energy, and improved biodiversity especially in urban areas where such rich blue-green space is at a premium.

At the celebratory event in Parliament, Rebecca Pow MP, DEFRA Minister, paid tribute to the Trust team and their volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain, protect, and enhance our canals and rivers.

Speaking about the reception, Peter Dowd MP said:

“It was great to join the Canal & River Trust to celebrate the nation’s waterways on their tenth anniversary.

“It was fantastic to learn more about the amazing work they are doing locally in Bootle.

“No other charity brings so much free, open and accessible blue and green space to the doorstep of so many. I look forward to continuing to support the Canal & River Trust as they continue to broaden the appeal of waterways, engaging communities and making these special places inclusive and available for all.

“The formation of the Trust has seen a generational change in the way the nation’s canal network is cared for – with millions of volunteer hours gifted and £millions donated to help protect and preserve them. This continued volunteer and financial support is vital over the coming years as the Trust works to keep our historic canal network freely available for us all to use and benefit from.”

About the Canal & River Trust

The Canal & River Trust cares for and brings to life 2,000 miles of canals and river navigations across England & Wales. We believe waterways have the power to make a difference to people’s lives and that spending time by water can make us all healthier and happier. By bringing communities together to make a difference to their local waterway, we are creating places and spaces that can be used and enjoyed by everyone, every day.

www.canalrivertrust.org.uk @CanalRiverTrust