November 28, 2024 -

30 years of lottery funding and the K&A restoration

On 19 November 2024, the National Lottery marked its 30th anniversary. Over the years, various projects, including numerous canal-related initiatives, have greatly benefited from National Lottery funding. One of the largest grants was awarded to the Kennet & Avon Canal – a substantial £25 million – aimed at restoring and preserving this 200-year-old waterway.

The 87-mile-long Kennet & Avon Canal had suffered decades of neglect, with several sections closing to boat traffic by the 1960s. However, thanks to the dedication of enthusiasts and volunteers, its decline was halted, and Queen Elizabeth II officially reopened the canal in 1990. Yet, more work remained to be done.

Fortuitously, in 1996, a £25 million grant from the National Lottery enabled the completion of the restoration. This included rebuilding bridges, replacing lock gates, repairing embankments, and dredging the canal. Alongside these major restoration efforts, canalside facilities were enhanced, creating wildlife habitats and moorings.

Video of the canal and its restoration compiled a few years ago.