On 11th July the Trust acquired from Wiltshire Council the track of the Wilts & Berks canal and towpath at Morningside Farm, Royal Wootton Bassett.

This is part of the gradual transfer of a number of sections of the canal owned by Wiltshire Council: the transfer was agreed by Wiltshire Council’s Cabinet Capital Assets Committee in June 2016.

In 2016, Leader of the Council, Cllr Baroness Scott of Bybrook OBE, said: “Wiltshire Council is a long standing partner in this restoration and we are pleased be able to assist the volunteers to progress work on the Wilts & Berks Canal. Wiltshire continues to benefit from the great tourism attraction of the Kennet & Avon canal, which was similarly restored with the passion and enthusiasm of volunteers: it is a wonderful success story and is a great benefit to the community.
”Roderick Bluh, Wilts & Berks Canal Trust Chairman said today: “The Trust is again extremely grateful for the support of Wiltshire Council in our work to restore this significant part of the national inland waterways infrastructure and bring the clear benefits of a vibrant and active resource to all our communities, now and in the future.”