Editing Bridgwater and Taunton Canal (section)

==Current use==
[[File:Canal at taunton.JPG|220px|left|thumb|The canal in Taunton at its end, near the old railway depot]]
Boating on the canal is encouraged, although the lack of a link to the River Parrett at Bridgwater is restrictive. At this point, the Parrett is a [[Brackish water|salt water]] river, and is laden with [[silt]], whereas the canal contains [[fresh water]]. Not only is there a risk of silt entering the canal,<ref>{{cite web|title=Bridgwater & Taunton Canal |url=http://www.mooringsandmoor.com/waterway/bridgwater-and-taunton-canal/ |publisher=Moorings & Moor |access-date=25 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120221141241/http://www.mooringsandmoor.com/waterway/bridgwater-and-taunton-canal/ |archive-date=21 February 2012 }}</ref> but the salt water cannot be allowed to contaminate the fresh, as the canal is still used for the transport of [[drinking water]] for the population of Bridgwater.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://travel.trainsferriesbuses.co.uk/bwdocks.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217063009/http://travel.trainsferriesbuses.co.uk/bwdocks.htm |archive-date=17 February 2012 |url-status=live |title=Bridgwater Docks, (photographic record)}}</ref> The canal forms part of the local flood relief system, in winter taking water from the [[River Tone]] at Taunton and discharging it into the Parrett at a [[sluice]] in the western fringe of Bridgwater, near the [[Bridgwater Canalside Centre]].

[[Bridgwater Docks]], in which the tidal basin, locks, quaysides, bridges and fittings are [[listed buildings]],<ref>{{NHLE|num=1197401|desc=Bridgwater Dock, Tidal Basin, locks, quaysides, bridges and fittings|access-date=2008-10-05}}</ref> is now a marina, emptied of boats in 2021, and the old warehouse, built in 1840&ndash;50<ref>{{NHLE|num=1197403|desc=Wares Warehouse|access-date=2008-10-05}}</ref> has been converted into apartments, with new apartment blocks built nearby. The only commercially active industry located at the docks was Bowering's Animal Feed Mill, until its closure in 2020. The towpath forms part of [[Sustrans]]' [[National Cycle Network]] route [[National Cycle Route 3|NCR-3]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.somerset-waterways.org/somerset-waterways-water.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705121844/http://www.somerset-waterways.org/somerset-waterways-water.html |archive-date=5 July 2008 |url-status=dead |publisher=Somerset Waterways Development Trust |title=Bridgwater and Taunton Canal}}</ref> connecting [[Bath, Somerset|Bath]] and [[Cornwall]], and attracts numerous travellers. Plans have been proposed for the upgrading of the towpath and development of a visitor centre at Maunsel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.waterlinks.info/map.html |title=Projects |publisher=Waterlinks Somerset |access-date=2008-10-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828093229/http://waterlinks.info/map.html |archive-date=28 August 2008 }}</ref>

During 2020, the boats were ordered to leave the docks at Bridgwater, however as of 2023, there has been a £5m grant to restore the docks and canal.