The Water Road

Adam Porter

Join us as we travel the canals and rivers of England and Wales in our narrowboat. The podcast takes you to places and events around the canal network, meeting the people who live, work, or volunteer on the waterways.

The Financial Times said The Water Road "takes nerdy delight in the minutiae of canal life". The Guardian described it as "a soothing sound effects-packed listen ... (that) wouldn't sound out of place on Radio 4". James Marriott in The Times said "How do I join this world? We need more of this sort of thing".

If you enjoy what I do, consider supporting me on Ko-fi! Every little bit means the world! https://ko-fi.com/thewaterroad

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20 episodes
Updated July 24

Episodes20

Newest first

July 24 · 15 min
Aylesbury Canal Society
The Aylesbury Arm, which branches off the Grand Union main line, is only just over six miles long but it's packed with interest. It starts at Marsworth Junction with the only staircase locks on the southern section of the GU, and it has sixteen locks in all. The Aylesbury Canal Society has spent decades promoting the arm and giving people a reason to head down it. In this episode we find out about the history of the society, and hear about the facilities at its base, Circus Field Basin, which incudes one of the best wet docks around, a dry dock, boaters' facilities, and a conference room. The Water Road is produced and presented by Adam Porter. If you like what you're hearing, please consider supporting me on Ko-fi.
July 10 · 15 min
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. Useful links: Braunston Marina; All Saints Church; Braunston Canal Society; Tradline Fenders.
June 26 · 9 min
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.
June 12 · 9 min
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.
June 5 · 13 min
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!
May 29 · 26 min
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 on YouTube ⁠Elton Moss⁠ Ortomarine Seawood Signwriting Water Freedom Forces Veterans Afloat Compoost Toilets Canal and River Trust If you enjoy what I do, consider supporting me on Ko-fi! Every little bit means the world!
May 15 · 20 min
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; 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
May 1 · 12 min
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 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. Thank you to those who've bought me a cuppa! If you enjoy what I do, please consider supporting me by clicking here.
April 17 · 17 min
Pets afloat
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
April 3 · 10 min
Marple Wharf
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
March 20 · 11 min
CanalPlanAC -- the canal planning website
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
March 6 · 14 min
New Series, New Boat
The Water Road is back for a second series! In the past few months we have moved onto our new boat, and in this episode we talk to James Attwood from Braidbar Boats who built it, and Mark Langley from Waterways World who wrote a review of it. We hear about some of the work that goes into fitting out a new boat, and the changes seen in the industry in recent years. The Water Road is produced and presented by Adam Porter. If you like what I do, please consider supporting me: https://ko-fi.com/thewaterroad
Dec 9, 2025 · 16 min
Christmas at Ellesmere Port Boat Museum
It's Christmas, and Santa is in his grotto at the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port in Cheshire. The elves are running boat trips so children can help them find all the decorations they've lost, and Mother Claus is keeping the whole show on the road. We hear from her, Santa himself, and one of the boat trip skippers, and learn some history about Ellesmere Port along the way. Plus there are memories of Christmases afloat from some boating friends. Special thanks to the Canal and River Trust volunteers who make this event possible. The Water Road is produced and presented by Adam Porter. If you enjoy what I do, please consider supporting me on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/thewaterroad Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/cory-alstad/the-night-circus License code: 6C2EOHGE8YVPWENR
Nov 21, 2025 · 13 min
Montgomery Canal
The Montgomery Canal is under restoration, and has been for more than fifty years. In this episode of The Water Road we speak to Chris Chambers, a lock keeper at Frankton Locks, who's been involved in the restoration since the 1960s, and we hear from Tom Fulda, the Shopshire Union Canal Society's Restoration Project Manager, about what's happening right now to extend the navigable length. Plus we hear about the canal centre at Llanymynech, which will one day be connected to the main canal network. 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
Nov 7, 2025 · 9 min
Llangollen Wharf and the Horseshoe Falls
In this episode of The Water Road we reach Llangollen, at the end of the Llangollen Canal, and explore the Horseshoe Falls a couple of miles from the town, which supply the canal with water from the River Dee. Plus we hear about the horse drawn boat trips up to the falls, and learn about the horses that do the work. Produced and presented by Adam Porter.
Oct 24, 2025 · 11 min
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
In this episode of The Water Road we cross the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct on the Llangollen Canal, one of the wonders of the waterways. We get the facts and figures about this record-breaking aqueduct, and talk to people who've walked, boated, or kayaked across. The Water Road is produced and presented by Adam Porter.
Oct 10, 2025 · 11 min
Hurleston Reservoir on the Llangollen Canal
In this episode of The Water Road, we begin a journey along the Llangollen Canal, and discover why the water flows so strongly. Hurleston Reservoir near Nantwich in Cheshire takes around 40 million litres of water a day from the canal, which brings it nearly fifty miles from North Wales. We speak to Rob Moore from United Utilities, who explains why the water is needed and what happens to it next. And CRT's National Hydrology Manager, Dr Adam Comerford, tells us about how water transfer schemes could be expanded to other parts of the canal network. Produced and presented by Adam Porter.
Sep 26, 2025 · 10 min
Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker
In this episode of The Water Road, we walk a couple of minutes from the Shropshire Union Canal in Cheshire to the Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker. This underground building was on permanent alert in the 1980s and 90s, standing by to become the seat of government for north west England in the event of a nuclear attack. We learn about the site's history, and about the museum it has become. Back on the Shroppie itself, we travel through the Hack Green Locks, and find reminders of other bygone times. Produced and presented by Adam Porter.
Sep 12, 2025 · 10 min
Cholmondeston Lock
In this episode of The Water Road we're at Cholmondeston Lock on the Middlewich Branch in Cheshire, where members of the local branch of the Inland Waterways Association are working boaters through the lock during a fundraising and awareness raising weekend. Hear from volunteers and boater's they've helped. We'll also try to get to the bottom of how the lock's name is pronounced. The Water Road is produced and presented by Adam Porter.
Sep 5, 2025 · 19 min
Water shortages and canal closures
In this extra episode of The Water Road, we examine the issue of the moment -- extreme water shortages which have led to canal and lock closures in the north of England and the Midlands. We hear from businesses affected, including Kingsground Narrowboats on the South Oxford, Braidbar Boats on the Macclesfield Canal, Chamberlain Chandlery on the Middlewich Arm, and Grand Union Narrowboats in Northamptonshire. And we speak to Dr Adam Comerford, the National Hydrology Manager for the Canal and River Trust, who explains why this year has been so bad, and answers some of the criticism directed at the Trust. Produced and presented by Adam Porter.