The quality of the environment surrounding Britain's inland waterways plays an important role in attracting visitors to the area.
British Waterways is responsible for maintaining 270 miles of the 200 year old inland waterway network in Yorkshire alone, as well as over 300 listed structures.
Maintaining, restoring and conserving the waterways and their environments is a demanding job.
Over the last 30 years, Wakefield's Waterfront has suffered from the demise of traditional industries and lack of investment.
The fine historic mills and warehouses have fallen into disrepair, some becoming derelict.
However, all this is about to change with work on the first phase of Wakefield Waterfront Regeneration Scheme now well underway.
The mixed-use development will open up a brand new impressive gateway at the southern approach to the City Centre.
New court yards and formal gardens will provide visual access to the heritage buildings and routes through the site to the River Calder, The Hepworth Wakefield and the city beyond via the new bridge.
When complete, the scheme will provide new office, residential and leisure space to bring a new vibrancy and sense of vitality to the waterfront.
People will discover they can use it for a wide range of leisure activities and make Wakefield Waterfront part of their everyday lives.
