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.

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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.