THE Canal and River Trust is looking to the public to come up with ideas on how to improve the historic waterway.

The drop-in session- held by the Canal and River Trust, the charity that cares for the waterway- will be an opportunity for the many individuals and groups who use the canal to find out more about how it’s run, and get involved in planning for its future.

Mark Evans, waterway manager at the Canal and River Trust, said: “The Kennet and Avon Canal is a waterway that’s close to many people’s hearts for countless different reasons. We’re honoured to be looking after it, and we think part of that is finding out what makes the canal so special, and constantly looking at ways we can preserve and improve it.

“We don’t have all the answers, so we’re looking to use this meeting to crowd source different opinions and ideas, so please do drop in on Tuesday evening if you’re interested in where we go from here.”

With more recorded yearly visits to the waterway than ever before, the Kennet and Avon Canal is popular with boaters, walkers, cyclists, anglers and canoeists, and is a traffic-free route between Reading and Bristol.

Tamsin Phipps, chairman of the Kennet and Avon Waterway Partnership, said: “It’s always great to meet the range of people using the canal, and this meeting is a fantastic opportunity for everyone who’s invested in the waterway – including boaters, walkers, canoeists, cyclists, or anyone else – to get together and share ideas.

“Whether you’ve had a lightbulb moment on how we can improve a particular stretch or some thoughts about what you’d like to see more of on the canal, now’s the time to speak up. Equally, if you’ve got any concerns, it’s the perfect time to meet the team running the canal and make sure they’re shared.”

The drop-in session will be held on Tuesday (May 24) at the Corn Exchange, Market Place, Devizes, between 6.30pm and 8.30pm.