Google to include waterways

IT WAS announced yesterday (Tuesday) that Google is to include waterways, and show towpaths, locks and bridges on its Google Maps.

This comes at the time when two other organisations pledge support for the new Canal & River Trust, with £1m of funding from the People's Postcode Lottery and the Co-operative Bank will offer the '10.5 million people who already enjoy or live on the waterways the option of supporting the conservation work of new Trust through everyday banking products'.

Vote of confidence

Tony Hales, Chairman of the Canal & River Trust, commented:

"We are delighted that these exciting partners have come on board as we launch. This is a huge vote of confidence in the Canal & River Trust and recognition of the important role it will play as the guardian of one of the nation's environmental treasures. We're looking forward to announcing some of the exciting initiatives we are planning together later in the year."

Charity lottery, the People's Postcode Lottery, hopes its players will support £1m worth of essential conservation work across the Canal & River Trust's network over the next decade through funds awarded by Postcode Green Trust. People's Postcode Lottery makes up part of the third largest private funder of good causes in the world.

Help boaters

The inclusion of canals on Google Maps, we are told will also include bridges, locks and tunnels, that will greatly facilitate its use for boaters wanting access points and such like, that are at present hard to define using the normal canal maps.

The announcements represent the start of what the Canal & River Trust hopes to be a growing number of partnerships with organisations who will play a vital role in helping to conserve and enhance the  waterways.