Apart from my first 14 months, when I lived in the east end of London, I have always lived very near the Basingstoke Canal. For much of the 20th century, it was derelict although it was just about possible to walk along the towpath. Since the 1980's the whole canal has been restored, much of it by volunteer effort, and this has provided a great haven both for people and wildlife. The whole project took many years to complete, and in my locality of St. John's the road bridge was also restored and my village centre is now deemed a 'conservation area', meaning that all new or extended buildings there have to be 'in keeping'. Even our bus stop is a pleasant wooden one, rather than a functional aluminium effort.
I had hoped to give you a rather more scenic photo of the canal bridge, but it seemed I had a fit of camera shake on that shot. Still, you will see that another day...