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Benefits of Restoration

The restoration of the Buckingham Canal delivers benefits that go far beyond heritage and leisure. In 2026, the Buckingham Canal Society was recognised as a strategic partner in national water resource planning — with implications for water supply, flood management, and environmental recovery across the Upper Great Ouse catchment.

Water Supply — A National Strategic Asset

Major Development — 2026
Anglian Water has confirmed they are now baseline-calibrating their modelling software to predict water needs for Milton Keynes and surrounding towns and villages. They will then run the model using water volumes facilitated by the restoration of the Buckingham Canal. The society is currently positioned as a strategic partner to help Anglian Water deliver drinking water to Milton Keynes for the next 50 years.

The restored canal forms a central part of the proposed Ouse Valley Water Corridor — a blue-green infrastructure route from Buckingham to Bedford through Milton Keynes. This corridor, developed in partnership with MK Canals and the Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust, would provide:

  • A water transfer route to supplement reservoir storage and manage seasonal supply/demand.
  • Approximately 3 miles of water transfer capacity with 8 miles of associated wetlands as flood store and drought buffer (WRMP29 in progress with Anglian Water and Water Resources East).
  • Integration with the UK National Water Grid concept, linking Birmingham, Milton Keynes and Bedford.
  • A GRS Roadstone joint venture for flood store and wetlands in the Upper Ouse Valley.

Flood Management

The restored canal and associated wetland corridor provides multiple flood management benefits along the Upper Great Ouse:

  • Tingewick Mill retention and delay — reducing peak flows through Buckingham.
  • A413 pinch point remediation — addressing a known flood vulnerability.
  • Increased wetland storage east of Thornborough and Thornton.
  • Upstream retention at Beachampton to increase outflow capacity.
  • Increased fluvial capacity through Old Stratford and Stony Stratford.

River and floodplain restoration is at the heart of this approach — slowing water flow, reconnecting rivers to floodplains, and creating upstream storage. Benefits include reduced downstream flood risk, improved biodiversity, bank stabilisation, and minimal long-term maintenance once established.

Recreation & Heritage

  • A fully restored navigable waterway from Cosgrove (Grand Union Canal junction) to Buckingham.
  • Towpath walking and cycling routes along the restored line.
  • Historic locks, bridges and structures restored for public access and interpretation.
  • Annual Cosgrove Canal Festival & Craft Fair attracting visitors from across the region.

Biodiversity & Environment

  • Restoration of aquatic and wetland habitats for endangered species.
  • Connection between existing wildlife habitats across the corridor.
  • Dragonflies, multiple butterfly species and fish already recorded at Bourton Meadow.
  • Wildflower and woodland planting along the towpath and bankside.

Economic & Community Regeneration

  • New recreational and tourism economy along the canal corridor.
  • Commercial marina and waterway services at Cosgrove, supporting the local economy.
  • Proposed Bourton Meadow Visitor Centre and wetlands as a community and educational destination.
  • Proposed Central England Water, Education, Engineering & Environment Hub (STEM focus).