The Water Road

Braunston

Braunston is at the heart of the canal network, and in this edition of The Water Road we explore its waterways history, including how the working boatmen adopted the village church as the Cathedral of the Canals. Plus we hear how the Braunston Canal Society does voluntary work on the canal and towpath, and we learn about making fenders. The Water Road is produced and presented by Adam Porter. If you're enjoying the podcast, please consider supporting me via Ko-Fi [https://ko-fi.com/thewaterroad]. Useful links: Braunston Marina [https://www.braunstonmarina.co.uk/]; All Saints Church [https://www.allsaintsbraunston.org.uk/]; Braunston Canal Society [https://www.braunston.org.uk/org.aspx?n=Braunston-Canal-Society&pdf=all]; Tradline Fenders [https://www.tradline.co.uk/].

Hatton Locks

Hatton Locks are known as the Stairway to Heaven -- twenty-one wide locks on the Grand Union Canal just outside Warwick. In this epsiode, a volunteer lock keeper gives his tips on how to work the flight in the most efficient way, and we learn about the candlestick paddle gear which are unique to this part of the Grand Union. The Water Road is produced and presented by Adam Porter. If you like the podcast, please consider supporting me on Ko-fi [https://ko-fi.com/thewaterroad].

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!