Memorandum submitted by Chris Bushill
(BW 22)
1. The driving force for the maintenance
and, especially, the restoration of waterways in this country
is the desire for their use by leisure boaters. However, the spin-off
by-product of this use for boating is an amenity used by a far
greater number of citizens than just the boaters. Of these many,
if not a majority, will have seldom, if ever, travelled on a leisure
boat on those waterways.
2. The maintenance of towpaths provides
a vast network used by pedestrians and cyclists whilst the waterway
itself provides a series of "lakes" used by anglers
who greatly exceed in number the boaters, whose use of the waterway
has ensured its existence.
3. There are many others who, directly or
indirectly, make use of the rivers and canals of this country,
not least those who maybe do not stop to realise that their travel
to work or view from the office is enhanced by the addition to
the scenery provided by a navigable waterway.
4. There is no doubt in my mind that the
waterways are in a better condition today than at any time since
they were last used on a commercial scale. This is a testament
to the work of BW in recent years but there is still a great deal
more that could and, I believe, should be done to further enhance
our waterways.
5. It worries me greatly to feel that this
improvement could be lost if those in a position to influence
funding do not fully appreciate the enormous benefits provided
by our waterways system.
6. The boater is the tip of a vast iceberg.
The maintenance of our waterway system provides a resource which
improves the life of almost all our citizens; one which is used
directly by millions of people, only a small proportion of whom
are boaters. Yet, without those boaters, the driving force for
the maintenance and improvement of the system would be lost.
7. Please help to ensure that public investment
in this valuable resource is provided commensurate with the very
real benefits provided to the people of this country by a well
maintained and expanding waterways network.
Chris Bushill
January 2007
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