Introducing Waterway Alerts – Less Searching, More Paddling
Updated: Oct 22
Planning a paddle should be about choosing a great route, not spending ages searching different websites for closures and restrictions.
That is why I have created the Paddle With Tom UK Waterway Alerts dashboard: one handy place to start checking navigation notices before you launch.
Less searching, more paddling
Anyone who paddles canals and rivers knows the routine. You pick a route, then start checking for lock closures, stoppages, maintenance work and navigation restrictions. Different waterways can mean different pages and different authorities. It is easy to lose time jumping between them, especially when organising a group paddle.
The new Waterway Alerts page brings information from the Environment Agency and Canal & River Trust together in a single, easy-to-browse dashboard. Rather than opening lots of tabs just to get started, you can check the waterways that matter to your trip in one place.
What can you do with it?
Rivers and canals are listed separately, making it quicker to find the right navigation. Each waterway has its own expandable panel, with available notices for closures, restrictions and other navigation updates. Search by waterway, lock or notice, choose a specific waterway from the dropdown, or filter by notice type.
Each notice includes a link to the original information where supplied. There are also buttons to open the relevant official navigation authority page, so you can double-check the details before setting off.
The dashboard shows when its feed was last checked and includes a refresh button.
A useful shortcut for paddle planning
The biggest benefit is time saved at the planning stage. Whether you are researching a new canal, organising a Paddle With Tom meet-up or deciding where to go at the weekend, the dashboard helps you spot potential issues sooner. That means less time hunting around for information and more time planning the enjoyable part of the trip.
It is designed to work on both desktop and mobile, so you can check it while planning at home or when reviewing your route on the day.
One important thing to remember
The dashboard is a starting point, not a replacement for official advice. Coverage depends on the notices available through the connected feeds, and not every waterway will necessarily have live notices displayed.
A zero count does not guarantee that a route is clear. Always confirm the latest restrictions, conditions and safety information with the relevant navigation authority before paddling.
Try the UK Waterway Alerts dashboard
You can explore the resource here: https://www.paddlewithtom.com/alerts
I hope it makes planning your next adventure a little easier. If you find it useful, share it with your paddling friends and clubs. More time on the water and less time searching for updates sounds good to me!
