Our previous travels saw us on the Macclesfield Canal, but now we've turned onto the Trent and Mersey and are tackling Harecastle Tunnel. It's more than a mile and a half long and the roof is so low in places that you have to crouch down to steer your boat. It's unusual because there are huge fans to keep the air moving, and doors on the southern portal. We experience the tunnel on electric propulsion for the first time, and speak to one of the tunnel keepers about its history and its current day use.

The Water Road is produced and presented by Adam Porter.

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Campbell Robb took over as Chief Executive of the Canal and River Trust towards the end of 2025. In this interview, he says the canal network is facing an inflection point, outlines his plans to reset CRT's relationship with boaters, and describes how moving water around the country could make the canals a vital part of the UK's infrastructure.

The Water Road is produced and presented by Adam Porter.

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We're back at Crick for the annual boat show, the biggest show in the boating calendar. We hear from the vlogger's Paul and Anthony from Narrowboat Life Unlocked about their new boat; we interrupt some live signwriting, and we hear about the tug which had a starring role in the Peaky Blinders film. The charity Forces Veterans Afloat explains how a boat can change lives. Plus we find out how canal water can be turned into drinking water, and how toilets can produce compost. And Macc the Boating Border Terrier enters a CRT photo competition, and we find out who wins the vote for Favourite Boat, and speak to the builders.

The Water Road is produced and presented by Adam Porter.

Useful Links:

Narrowboat Life Unlocked on YouTube

⁠Elton Moss⁠

Ortomarine

Seawood Signwriting

Water Freedom

Forces Veterans Afloat

Compoost Toilets

Canal and River Trust

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We're in Droitwich for the St Richard's Canal Festival, an event which has it's roots in the restoration of the Droitwich Canals. We hear from the organiser about it's history and the canal society behind it, learn about the historic boat, Bramble, talk to exhibitors and stall holders, and the trust which operates the community boat, Pamela May 2. And the whole event concludes with the annual duck race on the River Salwarpe.

Click the links for more information on St Richard's Festival; the Worcester, Birmingham and Droitwich Canals Society; Stourport Forward; Little Radford Model Boat Club; and Rosie Philpott.

The Water Road is produced and presented by Adam Porter.

If you enjoy what I do, consider supporting me on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/thewaterroad

Canals and railways often exist close to each other, and it was the railways which often killed the trade on canals because they could move goods so much more quickly. But the Macclesfield Canal has actually outlived its rival: the Macclesfield, Bollington, and Marple Railway closed in 1970 and was converted into a popular cycle and footpath. In this episode of The Water Road we explore Middlewood Way and its links with the Macclesfield Canal, both in the past and today. We hear from Ed Pilkington, one of the Cheshire East Rangers who looks after the path; and we talk to some volunteers from the Rossendale Trust who help maintain it.

For Cheshire East's leaflet about Middlewood Way, click here.

The Water Road is produced and presented by Adam Porter.

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We have a new crew member: Macc the Border Terrier puppy -- so this episode is all about pets on board. We speak to a puppy trainer, Cal Thorpe, about how to get the best out of your dog. We also hear from Pip from Narrowboat Oleanna about how Tilley the boat cat is kept safe, thanks to health and safety rules. Plus Gemma and Jack tell us about how their Border, Goblin, gets on with their tortoise, Teacake -- and how Teacake went missing for ten days, and cost them a set of boat batteries.

Follow Gemma and Jack on Instagram @our_floating_haus

Pip, Mick, and Tilley are at oleanna.co.uk

Cal Thorpe is at Off Leash Dog Training

Macc is on Instagram @macc.the.boating.border

The Water Road is produced and presented by Adam Porter.

If you enjoy what I do, consider supporting me on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/thewaterroad

A former trans-shipment warehouse at Marple Junction, where the Macclesfield and Peak Forest Canals meet, is currently being renovated by a community project. In this episode of The Water Road we speak to its chair, Sue Ingham, who tells us about the history of the building, the way the people of the town clubbed together to buy it, and what it will become later this year thanks in part to a big Lottery heritage grant.

The Water Road is produced and presented by Adam Porter.

If you enjoy the series please consider supporting me here: https://ko-fi.com/thewaterroad

CanalPlanAC is one of the most used canal websites, used by boaters to work out the best route between two places, and how long it might take. We speak to Nick Atty, the man behind the whole thing. We find out how it started, how it works, and what might change in the future.

The Water Road is produced and presented by Adam Porter.

If you enjoy what I do, please consider supporting me: https://ko-fi.com/thewaterroad