Our overall objective is to restore the Portsmouth to Arundel canal which formed part of the inland route from Portsmouth to London. In the immediate future we aim is to restore the 4 mile section between Chichester city and the harbour, a section built as a ship canal capable of taking 100 ton vessels. Having last seen commercial traffic in 1906, 2 miles have now been reopened fully to navigation and we look to opening the remainder.

The canal is often referred to as "the green lung" for Chichester. Its towpath is complete between city and the harbour, providing accessible and easy facilities for walkers, joggers, cyclists and anglers who are given views of open country north to the cathedral and the South Down National Park. The canal is home to a wide selection of wildlife, including water voles, and also is ideal for tripboats, canoes and rowing boats, all of which benefits the local economy.

The 2 tripboats belonging to the Trust carry more than 15,000 passengers a year while the footfall on the towpath is estimated at three quarters of a million in the year. To achieve this, a team of 120 friendly and enthusiastic volunteers run the Trust, undertaking tasks as varied as shop assistants, working parties looking after all aspects of the canal and its towpath and manning the tripboats. A recent new shop and café at the canal basin is becoming a significant tourist attraction.