The Water Road

Harecastle Tunnel

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. If you like what I do, please consider supporting me on Ko-fi [https://ko-fi.com/thewaterroad].

Campbell Robb interview

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

Crick Boat Show 2026

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 [https://www.youtube.com/c/NarrowboatLifeUnlocked] on YouTube ⁠Elton Moss⁠ [https://eltonmoss.com/] Ortomarine [https://www.ortomarine.co.uk/] Seawood Signwriting [https://www.facebook.com/seawoodsignwriting/?locale=en_GB] Water Freedom [https://waterfreedom.co.uk/] Forces Veterans Afloat [https://www.fva.org.uk/] Compoost Toilets [https://compoosttoilets.com/] Canal and River Trust [https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/] If you enjoy what I do, consider supporting me on Ko-fi! [https://ko-fi.com/thewaterroad] Every little bit means the world!

St Richard's Canal Festival, Droitwich

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 [http://www.strichardsfestival.co.uk/]; the Worcester, Birmingham and Droitwich Canals Society [https://wbdcs.org.uk/]; Stourport Forward [https://www.stourportforward.org.uk/]; Little Radford Model Boat Club [http://www.hod2020.redditchmuseum.org.uk/model_boats.htm]; and Rosie Philpott [https://www.rosiephilpott.co.uk/]. 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

Middlewood Way

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 [https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/leisure,_culture_and_tourism/ranger_service/countryside_sites/middlewood_way/middlewood_way.aspx] who looks after the path; and we talk to some volunteers from the Rossendale Trust [https://rossendaletrust.org/] who help maintain it. For Cheshire East's leaflet about Middlewood Way, click here. The Water Road is produced and presented by Adam Porter. Thank you to those who've bought me a cuppa! If you enjoy what I do, please consider supporting me by clicking here [https://ko-fi.com/thewaterroad].