Wey and Arun Canal Trust

The aim of the Trust is to achieve the restoration of the link between the Rivers Wey and Arun, and so recreate the direct water link between London and the South Coast. The Trust has reached agreement with landowners that restoration work could take place on over half the 23-mile total length. Already, twenty one bridges have been reconstructed, two aqueducts reconstructed, eleven locks restored, culverts rebuilt and several miles of canal bed cleared and dredged. Work has been carried out in the Bramley, Run Common, Loxwood. Billingshurst and Pulborough areas.

The Trust has an agreed Conservation Policy. Its aims are to identify, restore and maintain essential features of the natural and manmade landscape affecting the waterway and to maintain and enhance the diversity of habitats of nature conservation value.

The Trust is an entirely voluntary organisation, relying on the support of its members and friends, as well as the generosity of local businesses and the goodwill of local councils. The Trust is fortunate to have the services of volunteer professional engineers to design and supervise its restoration work. The work is carried out by the Trust's own work force, volunteers who meet every weekend, with the help of visiting voluntary groups on both long weekends and two-week summer camps.

Materials, plant and sub-contractors are financed by the Trust's own fund-raising operations. The money is raised mainly from sponsored events, recycling of waste paper and materials, lotteries and donations.

Full restoration involves the solution of many problems which the Trust would be the last to underestimate. More landowners need to be won over, water supply problems need to be overcome, local authorities need to be persuaded of the benefits to justify expenditure on raising road bridges etc.

The Trust has prepared a full feasibility study and commissioned an independent cost/benefit analysis which gives it confidence that the obstacles can be overcome, as they have been already on canal restoration schemes elsewhere.

Fully restored, the Wey and Arun Canal would rate among the most scenic in the country. Also, the Wey & Arun Canal Trust now runs three trip boats. Now into its fourth season for 2012 is our electrically powered boat Wiggonholt! This brand new boat is wider than a conventional narrowboat and can accommodate up to 50 passengers. It has an access lift for passengers with mobility difficulties, although please note that mobility impaired passengers should make themselves known to the boat crew or ticket office at least 20 minutes before the scheduled departure time. The boats cruise along the idyllic Loxwood Link section of the canal on the Surrey/West Sussex border.