What has the Trust achieved?
We have come a long way since the canal restoration started – 10 locks restored and one new lock built; 17 bridges restored and two new ones built; 2 aqueducts reconstructed; over half the canal worked on and 3½ miles fully restored at Loxwood to enable public trip boats to operate.
But there is a huge amount still to be done and WACT is determined that the canal will be completed. In the past, the Trust mainly focused on one major project at a time but a multi-site strategy has been adopted to accelerate the restoration project. In 2022, work was being carried out at Tickner's Heath (near Alfold and Dunsfold) on the Summit Level and at Birtley, south of Bramley in Surrey, with various smaller schemes also being progressed.
You can help in many ways. Although our volunteers provide much of the effort, funding is required for materials, contractors and professional planners and engineers. Income from Memberships, regular and one-off donations, legacies, boat trips and sales all mean that the work can continue and one day the whole canal will be open once again. We hope you can help.
If you are planning a holiday - in this country or abroad, winter, spring, summer or autumn - take the opportunity to book your stay and travel arrangements using companies which donate to good causes via the easyfundraising website.Buying holidays and travel can raise money for the canal restoration at no cost to you, with nearly 300 companies ready and willing to give the Canal Trust a percentage of the cost when you book.They include Thomas Cook Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, The Trainline, Mark Warner Holidays, Hilton Hotels, First Choice, Hertz, Ski France, Travelodge, Sovereign Luxury Travel, On The Beach, Direct Ferries, Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, Secret Deals, Real Family Holidays, Disneyland Paris, Boutique Camping, Cornish Cottage Holidays, Panoramic Villas and many more.More than 2,700 top retailers are also registered to donate when you buy their goods and services through easyfundraising.org.uk – from AA Insurance to Zavvi via John Lewis and M&S.Make your purchases via the website and a cash reward will be sent to the Canal Trust, with the potential of thousands of pounds being received each year.