Canal boat holidays in the UK and Europe are under threat after the driest July in England and Wales since records began and intense heatwaves on the continent.
Some businesses are losing thousands of pounds in income due to cancellations, with fears growing that more trips could be called off at the last minute.
More than a dozen navigation closure notices, which shut waterways to boat traffic, have been issued by the Canal and River Trust across the UK between late July and early August due to low water levels – several with no expiry date.
Shorts
The summer of extreme temperatures has seen two record-breaking heatwaves, in May and June, and more exceptional dry and hot weather in July.
