Memorandum submitted by the Ashby Canal
Trust (BW 35)
1. It is important that British Waterways
(BW) work with voluntary and official organisations. Relations
with the local waterways officers can be generally good, but it
can be time consuming dealing with BW head office. For example,
a significant local waterway in our area is the Ashby Canal, and
it is important that the proposals to restore the Ashby Canal
from its current terminus get genuine support from BW, as this
will add several cruising miles to the network, and provide an
excellent terminus for the Ashby Canal.
2. Users are concerned regarding the changes
in defra's budget as the good work carried out by BW over many
years may be put at risk by a fall in maintenance standards. For
example, major repairs to the Shenton embankment on the Ashby
Canal have already fallen victim to the current defra cuts, and
the Ashby Canal restoration, like most other waterways restoration
schemes will rely on being connected to a well maintained and
safe waterways network. BW grant funding, whilst clearly limited,
must reflect the fact that the waterways are for everybody, not
just for the paying users (eg boaters, anglers) and no price can
be put on this. It could be argued that the boats, for example,
are part of the infrastructure and the "backdrop" to
the waterways, and licenses could go down to reflect this, and
reflect the benefits to leisure and tourism.
3. Leisure use, directly or indirectly will
increase, and to maximise the benefits, the network must be kept
in a good condition. Freight use will, normally be limited to
the larger waterways.
Our waterways are a unique asset and must be
treated as such.
4. The relationship between BW and the local
authorities is important. For example, Leicestershire County Council
is leading the restoration of the Ashby Canal, and, it is understood,
works well with the local BW office. However, there does not seem
to be any proactive element to BW's interest except in a few isolated
cases, as BW locally do not have a specific restoration remit.
BW do claim to "support" the restoration of the Ashby
Canal and other waterways, but it is not clear what this support
is. A dedicated BW restoration team may help here either regionally
or nationally based.
5. So far as the local waterway is concerned,
it is understood that it is proposed that BW take over any restored
lengths of the Ashby Canal. In wider terms, therefore, it would
be logical if all elements of the waterways network came under
one body (including the Environment Agency's waterways), eg a
"National Navigation Authority", in the interests of
integration, unified standards and conformity, although some of
this standardisation has been achieved recently (eg the BSS certification).
6. Overall, BW are doing a good job with
limited resources, but so much more could be done which would
be of great benefit to England and Wales, including quality of
life, tourism, leisure, regeneration and support of local economies.
The importance of our inland waterways system must not be undervalued.
Ashby Canal Trust
January 2007
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