Memorandum submitted by C B Holmes (BW
55)
I am unable to appear in person at the forthcoming
hearing but submit my evidence as follows:
I have been a user of the waterway network since
1977. I started by hiring boats to go boating with my family.
For nine years from 1985, I hired boats to take Scouts boating
at Easter. In 1991, I bought my own boat that enabled me to escape
from the stress of running an engineering company for as many
weekends as I could. I retired from work in 1996, since when I
only return home for weddings, funerals and Christmas. The remainder
of the year I enjoy this unique heritage of ours from as many
places as possible. I moor up, shop, catch a bus, visit cities,
towns and villages, visit markets and historic monuments in the
company of many other likeminded boaters.
Our waterway network is the "Last of Britain's
Glory" and should be given every assistance possible in order
to remain so. It is the envy of the rest of the world. Visitors
from the Americas, Europe, Australasia, South Africa and many
other countries come boating and benefit the economy of our country.
They have nothing to compare it with back home.
I help (as a geriatric navvy) on canal enhancement
schemes, in particular with the Shropshire Union Canal Society,
spending the Society's hard earned funds for the benefit of boaters,
walkers and anglers. We work in close harmony with British Waterways
who would not be able to consider such schemes without our assistance.
I urge the government to support British Waterways
to keep our canals from deterioration so that future generations
may enjoy this 200 year-old piece of Great Britain.
C B Holmes
March 2007
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