Canals – a tranquil place for all.
As well as recreation amenities, the Barrow Navigation and the Grand and Royal Canals are at the centre of many of our heritage elements – boats and objects, history and folklore, industrial heritage and flora and fauna habitats.
They also play a role in the health of our population, especially in rural areas. They provide a peaceful space, where we have time to think, find tranquillity and watch nature.
The Blue Health 2020 programme linking environment, climate and health, has been focusing on the health benefits of our coasts but as they state “Blue environments include inland bodies of water – lakes, rivers and canals – as well as the coasts and oceans”.
Walking or cycling along the Greenways allows one to appreciate the water and its surrounds. Cruising or paddling on a boat at 3 km to 5 km on these calm waters, offers an even closer view of everything in and on the water – a shoal of fish, a heron on the shore, plants on the bank and in the hedge coming into bloom or turning in autumn, a glimpse of blue as a kingfisher zooms by or a coot emitting a warning that you are in the vicinity.
It is important we put in the work required to preserve these waterways for everything and everyone.