The LCBA has been working to try to resolve the reduction in boaters services on The Lancaster Canal.

In recent years the number of boaters services have been reduced with essential services at Hest Bank, Partial essential services at Carnforth and non-essential services at Lancaster, all closed.

in 2024, The Canal and River Trust defined the following Essential services (CSF’s) as:

• Water points: For drinking water and filling tanks (maximum one day cruising apart).
• Refuse/recycling points: For disposing of rubbish (maximum one day cruising apart).
• Elsan points: For emptying portable toilets (maximum one day cruising apart).
• Pump-out facilities: For emptying larger, fixed boat toilets (maximum two days cruising apart). 

The following facilities are considered non-essential under the current policy and may be closed or offered to third parties to manage: 

• Showers
• Public toilets (except potentially at some key destinations or for staff use)
• Washing machines
• Tumble driers 

Following the Trusts announcement in November 2025 that all non-essential services will close, this leaves the future of the remaining and functioning ‘non-essential’ services at Tewitfield, Carnforth, Garstang, and Cadley in doubt.

The LCBA is currently in early stage discussions with the Canal & River Trust regarding a possilbe lease of the Non Essential services in Lancaster.

It must be stressed that these are very early stage talks and will not nessecarily result in a lease. At present the LCBA has asked the Canal & River Trust for an onsite meeting and clarification regarding the trusts obligations as a landlord. It has also asked for an estimated running cost of the building so that a viable budget and funding plan can be investigated before commiting to any future lease.

The Canal & River Trust have informed the LCBA that typical costs for a building such as Lancaster Services are around £10,000 per annum, of which the LCBA, at present neither has, nor has the ability, to generate this kind of fundraising.

While a viable plan is yet to be finalised or confirmed, it is possible that the LCBA will look towards monetising the use of the toilets showers and pursue a partnership with local council services that may be able to support the upkeep of the building.

Once talks progress to the point where a further annonucement can be made, the LCBA will make an announcement via this website.