The Grand Union Canal

Our water supply is under increasing pressure from population growth, more demand for water, the effects of climate change and the need to protect fragile ecosystems. The canal network has transported people and goods for two centuries; it’s busier now than ever before, with more boats, and people enjoying, visiting and living on or by the canals, and supporting waterway dependent businesses.

We now want to use it to help transfer recycled water from the Midlands to the Southeast to supply those communities who have a deficit of water.

This scheme is key to delivering a sustainable and reliable water supply for the future and reducing our reliance on water from other sources, including unique chalk stream habitats. It will also secure future water availability for canal navigation.

We’re still at a very early stage in the scheme’s development. Listening to and understanding the views of people living and working on and by the canals along the water transfer route as well as those using them for recreation, wellbeing, access to nature and travel, is fundamental to how the scheme will be designed, built, and maintained.