North Walsham & Dilham Canal

The year 2023 saw another exciting step forward towards unpowered light craft navigation for the North Walsham & Dilham Canal Trust. A grant application was successful for a well-conceived project plan, which applied to the two ends of the canal (as the proprietors of the middle section are still considering restoration). From conception to project completion and grant repayment took the trust through from July 2023 to January 2024. 

The Light Craft Navigation Project facilitates portage via floating platforms above and below locks and bridges along the canal. Work pontoons, driven by environmentally ‘greener’ electric outboard motors, facilitate maintenance by water over the length of the navigation, along with a trailer to move them to where needed. 

The sectional nature of the floating pontoons and platforms offers maximum flexibility, and makes it simple to reconfigure according to need. Handheld tools, such as pole pruners, with chargers and batteries completed the bid, to equip the trust’s restoration work for many years to come. 

If this interests anyone local to North Norfolk to come and join the trust’s merry band of volunteers, please contact secretary@nwdct.org or visit the website at nwdct.org.

The trust is grateful for government funding via the Rural England Prosperity Fund, in partnership with North Norfolk District Council, supported by the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership.

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