BRITISH WATERWAYS NEWS
Friday April 1st, 2011
2011 PUBLIC CONSULTATION INTO THE FUTURE OF BRITISH WATERWAYS.
The 30th March saw the start of a three-month government consultation into the future of inland waterways in England and Wales which will set out proposals for a new charitable trust to take over the management. These will include directives on how the organisation will be governed and how it will give communities a greater role in looking after their local canals, rivers, reservoirs and docks.
According to British Waterways’ chairman, Tony Hales, “The consultation is an important step forward in achieving a long held vision among waterway supporters. Having set out our proposals in 2009 for a ‘national trust’ for the waterways, the Minister is now embarking upon the biggest shake-up of the waterway governance since nationalisation in 1948. I believe the proposals will build upon the recent waterway renaissance to ensure they never again revert to the dereliction and decline that saw part of the network abandoned and filled in during the 20th century.
“Caring for a 200-year old network requires intense management and significant funding. The consultation is an important part of establishing the best framework for the long term security for our canals and rivers, which harnesses community enthusiasm to deliver local priorities. I would encourage all those who have an interest in the nation’s magnificent former industrial waterway network to take part.”
The consultation document can be viewed at www.defra.gov.uk/consult/waterways-1103/
For further information, call the press office: 020 7985 7263.
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