Canal users across the West Midlands have raised concerns about falling water levels this summer, with some warning that the Canal and River Trust and government must do more to prepare for future droughts.

Sarah Williams, who has a boat on the Coventry Canal near Tamworth, has been unable to use her vessel for the last two years because water levels have been too low. She said: "I dread going out because the chances are that if I get the boat out and I get it off the mooring, I can't actually get it back on again."

This is the second summer running that canal users in the region have faced restrictions and closures, although some routes remain open.

Business impact and future planning

Cheryl Howes, who has been running a canal boat company for 26 years on the Grand Union Canal, said the authorities needed to address leaks and other problems. She operates 14 boats and said it brings in tourism and trade for businesses connected to the canal.

Howes said trade was down this summer because of closures last year. She added: "If these hot summers, which I'm sure a lot of people are enjoying, are the new norm, then we need to be working out how we make sure we've got enough water to get through the summer."

Dean Conduit, owner of Warwickshire Narrowboat Hire on the Grand Union Canal, said the canals were important to a lot of people and businesses. He said: "We need to plan for the future of the canals."

Conduit said the Canal and River Trust needed to take action to "keep the water moving", and that the government also needed to act. He added: "It needs to be properly thought out and the infrastructure put in place to save our canals."

Conduit noted the canals served more than boat users. He said: "It's not just for boats, it's for canoeists, paddle boards and people walking their dogs."

Calls for action

Howes said the authorities "need to be addressing leaks and various other problems, and if they need more money they need to work out how to get more money."

Williams said: "Maybe there needs to be a plan in place for this sort of thing because evidently its not going to get any better, it's just going to get worse."