In the 1980s, South West Water, the successors to the local water company, relinquished ownership of the Aqueduct branch as it was no longer used for the carrying of water supplies. Despite over 80% of this length being in Devon, it was acquired by North Cornwall District Council, who saw it as a potentially valuable environmental resource for Bude and its area.

However, by 1996 North Cornwall District Council decided to relinquish ownership and handed over the Aqueduct branch to a newly formed Bude Canal Trust. The Trust, a registered charity, was set up specifically to take over the ownership and committed to maintaining and promoting the historical integrity of the Canal, particularly the length now in the Trust’s ownership.

In 2006 agreement was reached between the Trust and Devon County Council to establish a formal Public Footpath along the route of the old towpath on the Devon length of the Aqueduct branch. With a length of almost 8km/5 miles, this is the longest single Public Footpath in Devon.

Following discussions with the Local Authorities and other interested parties, in 2007 the Bude Canal Trust Partnership was established. The Partnership is an arrangement whereby the member bodies consider the most appropriate means of managing the lands of the Bude Canal Trust. The Board of the Partnership, under the Chairmanship of the Trust, decides and agrees a priority list of appropriate works, undertaken on behalf of the Trust and of the Partnership as a whole.

The lands of the Bude Canal Trust, comprising the entire 8km/5 mile length of the old Aqueduct branch, represent the longest publicly accessible length by far of this very historic canal, and the most extensive section of which it is possible to ensure the maintenance and enhancement of the Canal’s heritage features.