CanalCuttings - Your FREE online-world British Inland Waterways, Narrowboat, River Cruiser, Canal Boat Magazine, Info Source and Britain's & Narrowboat Holiday Guide.

Over 500 Pages of Information and Features about canals and their usage - We're not just a Narrowboat Magazine. The website includes River and Inland Waterways information.

Waterways Renaissance Awards 2010

About The Finalists

Regeneration & Renewal are official media partners for the Awards.

Action Outdoors, Falkirk

An innovative Outdoor Learning centre that nestles on the bank of the Union Canal in Falkirk. Officially opened in April 2009 the centre offers people of all ages and abilities the opportunity of healthy waterside activities and a chance to try new experiences, meet new people, learn new skills, gain greater confidence, raised self-esteem and enable personal and social development.

Allington Lock Enhancement and Porters Lock Canoe Fishway, Kent.

The Allington Lock Enhancement has seen the transformation of this site which serves as the gateway to the Medway Navigation. The works now provide a number of new facilities for boaters, a new metre wide slipway, safer moorings and canoe access as well as important bank stabilisation works. In addition the Grade 2 listed Allington Lock Cottage was converted into an office to base the Medway Navigation team. Porters Lock Canoe Fishway, constructed as part of the enhancement project, is the first combined canoe and fish pass of its type in the UK. The simple structure allows both canoeists and fish to pass the lock and weir structure in a shared "log flume" like channel. By doing this, only one channel had to be constructed reducing the amount of water required and the overall cost of the project.

The first of its kind – Anderton Boat Lift, Cheshire.

A new educational programme to encourage and engage school visits for 7-11 years to the historic boat lift. Using the stories of real people and their connection with the Boat Lift, the programme illustrates the landscape and inustrial heritage. A new hands-on interactive learning centre has also been established. Three themed workshops encourage children to develop skills and knowledge in a variety of ways. These improvements have led to increased visitor numbers with education visits in particular doubling within a year.

Bigman 1 & 2, Glasgow.

The Bigman 1 & 2 events were designed to engage with the community as part of a consultation process about the regeneration plans of the canal partnership and housing associations in Maryhill, Glasgow. Community consultation is key to moving this project forward and the Bigman events were also be used by Glasgow City Council to consult with the people of Maryhill and Kelvin about new regeneration plans for the area. The events incorporated a huge range of water and land based events including boat trips, canoe and kayak sessions, musical performances, art and craft displays, storytelling and dragon boat racing.

Brecon Gateway, Brecon.

This project has involved the local community of the small, mid-Wales town of Brecon in investigating and celebrating the industrial and natural heritage of the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal. The project drew in local people, schools, Brownies, artists and canal enthusiasts to learn about the importance of their local waterway, celebrating their community’s heritage through a series of creative projects.

Clarence Dock, Leeds.

Build in the 1830s, this 18 acre site was previously used for heavy industry associated with the River Aire. Part of the Leeds Waterfront regeneration project, Clarence Dock has been successfully redeveloped to create a high quality waterside destination with mixed-use developments. Public realm works complement the historic canal dock and the more modern Royal Armouries museum.

Erewash Canal Access Strategy, Nottingham.

Built in the 18th Century as a main transport artery, the Erewash Canal connected now disused Cromford, Nottingham and Derby & Sandiacre Canals to the River Trent. A significant asset for the East Midlands, this access strategy has been developed by the Erewash Canal Preservation and Development Association to help realise its true potential as a leisure destination by increasing access and connectivity. Visitor ‘hubs’ at strategic locations will create mini-destinations, enhancing the visitor experience while sensitive canal side development and access enhancements will improve local distinctiveness and bring tangible economic benefits to the towns that lie within the park.

Great Glens Way Initiative, Scotland.

A partnership interpretation project for the Great Glen and its three sustainable 'Ways' - the Caledonian Canal, the Great Glen Way Long Distance Route and the Great Glen Mountain Bike Trails. By working together, the partners are celebrating the unique geography, culture and history of the Great Glen, whilst minimising the visual clutter that would be inevitable if the routes were interpreted individually. This joint working also brought the benefit of encouraging 'cross-over' between the users of the routes - people are exhorted to visit the Great Glen by Boot, Boat and Bike!

Kings Lock Visitors Centre & Lock Office Extension, Oxford.

Situated on the River Thames, three miles from Oxford, the original lock office was built in the 1960s and was one of the smallest on the river. A need for more office space, a separate education area necessitated an extension to the building. Keen to use green building techniques, the extension was constructed from straw bales, lowering carbon footprint for the building. This small but truly innovative and dynamic project was achieved on time and in budget.

Liverpool Canal Link, Liverpool.

For many years there has been no access from the Leeds Liverpool Canal to the Pier Head in Liverpool, This new waterway extension running from the Eldonia flight of locks across Liverpool’s waterfront, to Canning Dock means that one can now cross England by waterway from the Humber to the Mersey. Taking eight years to complete, the project is now a key part of Liverpool’s waterfront regeneration strategy.

Lough Neagh Regeneration Programme, Northern Ireland.

At 300msq, Lough Neagh is the largest lake in the British Isles. Since 2003, the Lough Neagh Partnership has raised and allocated more than £10m of funding to regenerate the environment and communities surrounding the lough. Over 140 diverse projects have benefited from the funding, from marina development to reed bed creation; heritage boat building and festivals to heritage trails. Collectively these projects have helped to transform economic and social outlook of the locality.

Middlewich Masterplan and Middlewich

Piecing the past together to promote the future, Cheshire. Classified as a ‘failing’ market town, the community of Middlewich came together in 2007 to bring about its regeneration. Nineteen partner organisations have worked together to develop a strategic vision which has transformed the town. The aim is to connect the canal to the town centre and reduce both the physical and visual barriers that were causing the lack of connectivity. The master plan includes complementary community projects that record the town's history orally through music, diverse cultures, festivals and historic archive preparation

Oil Mills Bridge, Stroud.

The restoration of a historic bridge across the Stroudwater Navigation between Ebley and Ryeford in Gloucestershire. Whilst retaining as much of the base of the original bridge as possible, the structure uses innovative design to meet modern highway design standards and safety and access requriement,providing adequate headroom for navigating boats and towpath users.

Ouseburn Explorer, Newcastle upon Tyne.

A book detailing four illustrated walks along the Lower Ouseburn Valley. Published to help children to explore and understand the many layers of the Ouseburn's historic environment the book also aims to attract more families to this increasingly important regeneration hot-spot. Aimed at children 5 to 11, the book and walks are designed to give children the confidence to become expert guides to the historic environment of the valley. The books have been carefully developed so that the child is the walk leader, the child’s enthusiasm is sustained throughout the walk, the child is the explorer, finding the information and the child should want to share discovered information with others.

Pride on our Promenades, Liverpool.

A strategic approach to enhancing public access to the Mersey Waterfront which has seen £8m invested over 4 years in improving more than 14km of waterside routes. The traditional promenades along the Mersey Estuary waterfront have been upgraded, now boasting new visitor attractions and enhanced public access ranging from a children’s playground, informal lock-side recreation to improved heritage interpretation.

Railway on the water – Re-launched, Goole.

A celebration of Goole's 'Tom Puddings' in the 50th anniversary year of compartment boat tug 'Wheldale'. The Tom Puddings are a unique feature of Britain’s canal network, operated on the Aire and Calder Navigation (A&CN), they were invented by A&CN engineer William Hamond Bartholomew in 1861to transport coal from the Yorkshire coal mines. 'Railway on the Water - Relaunched' has involved the repair and conservation of the Tom Puddings, Wheldale tug and jebus, which headed the train of 19 pans. A 'Wheldale Weekend' in September 2009 brought the system to life once more, to public acclamation and festivity.

Restoration of Ynysbwllog Aqueduct and Three Locks, Neath.

The original 1792 aqueduct was partially destroyed by flood water during the 1970s, this restoration scheme has created a new innovative aqueduct with the longest span in the UK. Its restoration is a vital component in the long-term strategy to link the Neath Canal to the wider network of the Tennant Canal, the River Tawe in Swansea and the Swansea Canal, eventually providing 53km of cruising waterway.

Rotherham Renaissance Flood Alleviation Scheme Ph1 & Centenary Wetland Park, Rotherham.

A £15million flood alleviation scheme alongside the River Don. In addition to providing 1 in 100 year flood protection, the scheme has created new access points to the river and an urban wetland park on a former industrual site. In addition to providing flood compensation capacity, the park forms an attractive natural centrepiece for the project. It has been designed, constructed and managed to encourage biodiversity by providing a refuge for wildlife, an opportunity for education and resource for the local community.

Torrs Weir Fish Pass & River Mersey Fish & Wildlife Range, Merseyside.

As a result of its industrial heritage, the River Goyt in the upper River Mersey catchment was exceptionally polluted over much of the last century. This project aimed to increase fish stocks on the River Mersey, improve the biodiversity of the river, create new habitats and encourage visitors to the waterway. A new fish pass and fish range have been introduced in addition to installing an Archimedean screw hydropower scheme. This government backed, green energy scheme will produce electricity for a local school, a convenience store and some other surrounding properties.

Trent River Park Green Infrastructure. Nottingham.

Devised to promote the intersection and joint roles of the River Trent and the Erewash Canal, its vision is that by 2015 the TrenRiver Park will be nationally renowned, that access will be available along both river banks and that people will be able to follow circuits using riverside routeways and river crossings. The project comprises of four interrelated elements: access and landscape improvements at Trent Gateway / Trent Lock (the connection of Erewash Canal to the River Trent); habitat creation and enhanced visitor access on Barton Lane Path to Erewash Canal; the Victoria Embankment Regeneration Link; and access improvement from Stoke Lock to Netherfield Lagoons.

Trinity Broads Restoration, Norfolk.

This project aims to restore the Trinity Broads to clear, species-diverse lakes and encourage the involvement of local community in the project. A variety of restoration techniques have been used – biomanipulating the aquatic ecosystem on a grand scale, restoring the fringing wetland habitats and reducing diffuse pollution. The local leisure and farming community are directly involved with the project. Local farmers are encouraged to contribute via land stewardship and by controlling the amount and type of fertilizer used on adjacent land.

Viaduct Terrace, Knaresborough.

Formerly a ‘tired’ and uninviting public space adjacent to the River Nidd, this site has been completely transformed through the development of Viaduct Terrace, a two level river viewing terrace next to the imposing railway viaduct. The importance of the river in relation to Knaresborough's tourism offer is undisputed and the enhancement of this area is at the heart of Renaissance Knaresborough's regeneration objectives.

Village at War 2008 & 2009, Stoke Bruerne, Northamptonshire.

An annual community inspired and led event celebrating life on and around the canals during World War II. As well as raising the profile of the waterway and the Canal Museum, the event highlights the contribution to the war effort made by women working on the waterways. Through the event, the canal-side village is transported back to the 1940s with period re-enactments, tea dances, Lindy Hop dance demonstrations, vintage canal boats and displays of World War II military vehicles.

Whitlingham Country Park, Norfolk.

The redevelopment of two former gravel extraction pits into education and recreation facilities for the people of East Anglia. Its Forest Schools programme is regarded as a model for engaging children who have been excluded from mainstream education. This approach takes advantage of the location and activities available at the park to create an innovative education programme, developing the children’s skills and abilities. Activities range from nature trails, bush craft, water sports, archery, construction