Background:
● The wrong timing of the rainfall is the major cause of water scarcity in the UK, then the growing population contributes even more to the problem making it worse.
● Recurring drought and flood events have far reaching effects, especially making water supply become extreme vulnerable.
● The Grand Contour Canal in 1943, with 310 ft elevation was projected to effectively secure the country’s economy. However, the project did not work without practical solutions.
● The idea of build canals in the UK had then brought out again by Mr. Johnson, but never implemented.
Importance of Having Canals:
● Irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, domestic water supply, and building canals can simply serve as a natural habitat that supports ecosystem, increase biodiversity.
● The efficiency of waterways freight. Barges usually can transfer larger amount of commodities but less expensive, less emissions and more safe compared with other modes of transportation.
● Among all purpose of building canals, the most important one is to quench the thirst in the nation, provide and deliver water to people and regions where needed.
Proposed Canal Route 1:
Route 1: Hertford to Cambridge.
Length: ~30 miles
Estimated cost: $1362535059
Proposed Canal Route 2:
Route 2: Immingham to Lincoln
Length: ~30 miles
Estimated Cost:$1362535059
Proposed Canal Route 3:
Route 3: River Ouse in Bedford to the Grand
Union Canal in Milton Keynes
Length: ~17 miles (27.3588 km)
Estimated Cost: $772084385.8
Organizations, People and Websites that supports the building of Canal…
● Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration
● The Inland Waterway Association (IWA)
● Boris Johnson with the idea of transfer water in the United Kingdom.
Conclusion:
Climate change is bringing multiple different changes in the United Kingdom, which will all increase the severity of water scarcity. To accommodate this, building canals in the UK seems like the most practical solution in solving the problem in the UK. Building canals that connect to the rest to existing waterways can effectively shorten the routes for water delivery and mitigate droughts events by providing water to regions where needed.
Hopefully with the support from organizations like IWA, the canal can be successfully constructed in the UK one day, prevent the water shortage that people may face in the future. Also, with the construction of Canal, hope it would bring to the country the new economic regeneration by mprove biodiversity and enhance country’s tourism.