The Water Road

River Thames Lock Keeper

Being a lock keeper on the River Thames must be one of the best jobs out there -- but there's more to it than meets the eye. In this episode of The Water Road, the man who looks after Abingdon Lock tells us about what his job entails, how he ensures boats get through as efficiently as possible, and how he's responsible for controlling the water level on his part of the river. Plus we find out about the pygmy goats which live in the lock cottage garden, and hear from a man who's just retired from a 40 year career on the River Thames. The Water Road is produced and presented by Adam Porter. If you're enjoying the series, please consider supporting me on Ko-fi.

Traditional Thames Boats

In this episode we visit the workshop of Will Howard, a builder and restorer of traditional Thames wooden boats. We're talking skiffs, dinghies, and canoes, and find out how much work it takes to restore boats which can date back to 1900. The Water Road is produced and presented by Adam Porter. To see what Will's boats look like, check out his website -- or look him up on Instagram where he's @w.howardboatbuilder

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River Wey

We have reached the most southerly point of the connected network, Godalming Wharf on the River Wey in Surrey, and in this episode we'll work our way back to the River Thames. Along the river we hear about watersports training from Roar Outdoor who have bases in Godalming and Guildford; and we call in to the Byfleet Boat Club to hear about the history of the Wey Navigation and the background of the club itself. The Water Road is produced and presented by Adam Porter. If you're enjoying the series, please consider supporting me via Ko-fi.

Caring for Carers

In this extra episode of The Water Road, we hear about Caring for Carers -- a project which is planning to put a barge in a disused part of Paddington Basin, to act as a decompression space for the hard-working staff at the Emergency Department of St Mary's Hospital. St Mary's is one of London's four major trauma centres, and around 160 staff are on duty at any one time. The barge will help staff recover after demanding shifts, process the impact of traumatic experiences, and protect their own wellbeing. We hear from the Emergency Medicine Consultant, Dr Barbara Cleaver, and Nicolas Kent, a theatre producer who's been helping with fundraising. For more information or to make a donation, visit their website: https://www.caringforcarerstrust.co.uk/ The Water Road is produced and presented by Adam Porter.

Paddington Basin and Little Venice

We're in London, moored in Paddington Basin and exploring the history of the area and nearby Little Venice. We chat to Julian Futter and Robert Bruce from the Paddington Waterways and Maida Vale Society about the area's history, how Little Venice got its name, and how it developed into the upmarket haven it is today. Find out about the importance of pubs, the proliferation of daries, and why there are so many Welsh people in the area. The Water Road is produced and presented by Adam Porter. If you're enjoying the podcast, please consider supporting me on Ko-fi.

Rickmansworth Waterways Trust

On our journey south on the Grand Union Canal we've reached Rickmansworth in Hertfordshire. Next to Batchworth Lock is the Rickmansworth Waterways Trust, and we'll find out about their work in promoting the waterways and educating people about how they work and how important they are. We'll also hear about the Trust's historic wooden narrowboat, Roger, and how a whole family lived in its tiny back cabin. For more information about the Rickmansworth Waterways Trust, visit their website. If you're enjoying the series, please leave a nice review or star rating to help other people find us. And consider supporting me on Ko-fi. The Water Road is produced and presented by Adam Porter.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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