In April 2005 The Somerset Waterways Development Trust was formed. The Trust is a group of people set on conserving, protecting, and improving the special assets within Somerset of canals, rivers and watercourses.

The objectives of the group are to:

Promote Somerset Waterways
Educate people about Somerset Waterways
Interpret the history and landscape of Somerset Waterways
Protect and conserve the environment, landscape, heritage and recreational resource of Somerset Waterways
Improve and enhance Somerset Waterways in a sustainable manner

The inspiration of the Trust came from the growing appreciation of the developing tourism and leisure on the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal as well as the successes of other waterway schemes around the country and abroad.