We are dedicated to Exeter’s canal. Membership of the Friends is open to everyone who values and loves this historic waterway, whether as a user on the water, for recreation, or simply strolling along its peaceful banks.
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After working with the bridges team at Devon County Council for five or more years we were hugely dissapointed that they are not proposing to take forward what we thought was an agreed proposal to raise the level of the bridges and highway to allow more boats to pass under the bridges rather than opening the bridegs and stopping the traffic.
FESCHH held it's AGM on Monday 18 May 2026, the first as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, but it is also the 10th anniversary year of the Friends of Exeter Ship Canal being established.
Raising the bridges on the A379 across Exeter Ship Canal could be the biggest boost to the use and navigation of the canal for over half a century. But we are having to argue very hard indeed that the proposed new bridges should be raised to provide a higher draught for boats.
We will be telling the Countess Wear community about our work to protect and develop the canal with its new found Heritage Harbour status, as well as our campaign to encourage Devon County Council to increase the draught under the new bridges so more craft can pass under them.
