Supplementary memorandum submitted by
the Inland Waterways Association (BW 27a)
1. The Inland Waterways Association is grateful
to the Select Committee for allowing us to give evidence at the
start of your Inquiry into British Waterways and for enabling
us to contribute at the end of the Inquiry.
2. During our oral evidence we were asked
where we would like to see inland waterways located within government.
At the time we said—"anywhere but DEFRA", and
we stand by that. While the more junior civil servants have gone
the extra mile for waterways it is clear that their seniors, both
at ministerial and civil servant level, have not engaged with
the needs of British Waterways.
3. There has been much debate on this issue
among waterways users in recent months, and we have now concluded
that a more appropriate location for waterways would be in any
new Department for Communities and Local Government. This would
mean strong links with local government and, critically, with
other regeneration agencies such as the regional development agencies.
4. IWA believes that the cuts to grant in
aid will adversely impact upon the waterways as year on year they
bite. We further believe that pressure to increase income will
result in a less egalitarian boating community as boating becomes
ever more expensive. This is evidenced by British Waterways' proposals
(see Press Release 9 May 2007) to let vacant moorings to the highest
bidder for a trial period. IWA believes it is of great importance
that the waterways remain accessible to all sectors of the community,
otherwise there is risk of breeding resentment and anti-social
behaviour amongst the excluded.
5. IWA rejects the spurious "evidence"
of the minister, which we believe to be fatally flawed. A simple
examination showed that this extra money came with strings attached
as it was linked to property development or Scottish commitments.
IWA is alarmed that a minister believes he can try to deflect
a Select Committee in this manner. Further, we believe it has
been unhelpful that the minister has been less than transparent
with the boating community. On more than one occasion he alleged
that the cuts of 2006-07 were a one-off, that budgets would be
reinstated to former levels and cuts not be repeated, let alone
deepened. Now we understand he plans further cuts year-on-year.
6. IWA would reiterate that the meeting
with Ed Balls MP, referred to by the minister, was a public event
at which IWA's national chairman, John Fletcher, put his proposals
to the Treasury minister, and then followed this up in writing.
British Waterways was not involved.
7. The Committee has inquired into the relationship
between British Waterways and local authorities, and we understand
you have received evidence from a number particularly those who
have strong working relationships with BW. Many local authorities
fail to engage with their inland waterways and we would contend
that they should be a duty on them to restore and improve their
waterways. As with central government, local authorities currently
need a champion within to ensure canals and river navigations
are cared for. Without a champion, the waterways suffer—which
is why we believe there should be requirements within the planning
regime to ensure that inland waterways issues are taken on board.
Chief Executive
The Inland Waterways Association
May 2007
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