Shining a spotlight on Britain’s canals
THE recent BBC One Countryfile programme about repairs to the
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct shone a spotlight on the nation’s canal network, explains Haley Hadley,
ABC Leisure Group’s marketing and sales director.
As well as explaining how our canals are maintained for people and wildlife, the programme examined the way this work is funded. People are often surprised to learn that this vital national infrastructure, including thousands of historic structures, is cared for by a charity.
In the programme, the Canal & River Trust’s chief executive Richard Parry explained how the impact of our changing climate is increasing the cost of maintaining the network, so more government funding is vital.
Haley said: “Two of Drifters’ canal boat hire bases featured in the programme. Images of Anglo Welsh’s base at Trevor, next to the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct were in the film. And I was interviewed at our Alvechurch base to talk about the impact of the increase in boat licence fees, which help pay for the running of the canal network.
“This year ABC Boat Hire will be paying around half a million pounds in licence fees for our fleet of 200 hire boats. We understand that the 250-year old network is expensive to maintain and it’s fair that people who use it contribute to these costs.
“Programmes like these not only help people to understand the value of our canals for people and wildlife, they also encourage people to find out more. We saw a spike in people Googling ‘canal boat holidays’ after the programme aired. And that’s great because the more people who holiday on the canals, the more hire boat licences will be paid!”