Welcome to the Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Park
Can the Waterway Park help combat future drought?
The Bedford and Milton Keynes Waterway Trust has been an advocate for a new waterway park linking Bedford and Milton Keynes since 1996. In recent years we have increasing argued that it should be given serious consideration as a piece of green/blue infrastructure that can achieve many positive outcomes:
● an economic boost for the region through the establishment of a new navigation and recreation location
● increased biodiversity through the creation of new wetlands and parkland
● excellent cycle and walking routes through Marston Vale
● improved water management opportunities
It is this last benefit which needs to come to the forefront right now. The country is facing serious drought and all the predictions are that we are facing more extended hot and arid periods. Our countryside, our businesses and we all need water. A new link between the River Great Ouse in Bedford and the Grand Union Canal and rivers in Milton Keynes could be a crucial resource. The capacity of the link to help remove water during flood and redistribute during drought is at last being looked at more seriously.
Outline Business Case backs the Waterway Park as a Highly-Valued Investment for Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor
New Business Case Backs £475M Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway as High-Value Investment for Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor
A newly released Outline Business Case for the Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway confirms that the proposed 26km canal would offer outstanding value for money, delivering £2.40 in benefits for every £1 invested.
The business case sets out a compelling economic, environmental, and social case for the new waterway. Designed to link the Grand Union Canal at Milton Keynes to the River Great Ouse at Bedford, the waterway would form a central feature of the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor — one of the UK’s most dynamic development areas.
The outline business case can be accessed via following link – New BMK Waterway Business Case
What’s happening in the BMK Waterway Park
We are always busy promoting the Waterway Park, raising funds and awareness through our community boats and working on projects along the route. View all news here
New Business Case Backs £475M Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway as High-Value Investment for Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor
A newly released Outline Business Case for the Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway confirms that the proposed 26km canal would offer outstanding value for money, delivering £2.40 in benefits for every £1 invested.
BMK Newsletter April 2025
Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust Newsletter 2025 April 2025: BMK News April 2025 2024 Nov 2024: BMK News Nov 2024 July 2024: BMK News July 2024 March 2024: BMK News March 2024 2023 Nov 2023: BMK News Nov 2023 July 2023: BMK News July 2023 March 2023: BMK News March 2023 2022 Nov 2022: […]
18th AGM Agenda on 25th June at 7.30pm & Minutes of previous AGM
18th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE BEDFORD & MILTON KEYNES WATERWAY TRUST HELD AT:
Box End Park, Box End, Bedford on Tuesday 25th June 2022 AT 7.30 PM
17th AGM Agenda on 6th June at 7.30pm & Minutes of previous AGM
17th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE BEDFORD & MILTON KEYNES WATERWAY TRUST HELD AT:
Box End Park, Box End, Bedford
ON Tuesday 6th June 2022 AT 7.30 PM
Kempston Mill landing stage see it first overnight mooring
Kempston Mill landing stage see it first overnight mooring
John Bunyan Community Boat officially awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service by Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Helen Nellis
The volunteers of the John Bunyan Community boat have been officially awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – the MBE for volunteer groups by the Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Helen Nellis. They are among 244 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year during the Queens Platinum Jubilee year.
John Lewis and Waitrose team up with community boat Electra.
Tenants from sheltered housing in Bletchley, for people living with dementia, were treated to a canal boat cruise on Thursday 28th May, thanks to the generosity of the John Lewis Partnership.
The Board of the Inland Waterway Association visit Bedford
On the 12th March Bedford was honoured to host, for the first time, the board of the Inland Waterway Association. IWA is a national organisation which works to protect and restore Britain’s network of canals and navigable rivers for the enjoyment of everyone.
THE JOHN BUNYAN BOAT ANNOUNCES NEW CRUISES FOR THIS SUMMER
April draws near which signals the start of the John Bunyan Community Boat’s cruising season. This year we have a number of new cruises which encompass the delight of cruising with another activity be it dining, learning of the History of Bedford or even Gin. Starting in April on the 18th April there will be […]
The John Bunyan Community Boat announces the 2022 Cruise Program.
April to September will see the familiar sight of the blue and white John Bunyan Community Boat gracing the River Great Ouse in and around Bedford. Over 46,000 passengers have enjoyed cruising on the vessel in the past 9 years on various trips, from Kempston in the West to Great Barford in the East. Manned entirely by volunteers for the benefit of the residents of Bedford and surrounding districts.
Your donations are making the waterway park a reality
Extending the navigation on the Gt Ouse, marking & securing the route as well as technical and economic studies, these are just some of the projects we are working on.
Make a DonationWould you like to volunteer with Trust?
All of our work from running the community boats to planning and promoting the route is carried out by volunteers. We are always looking for enthusiastic people to get involved.
Find out more