Memorandum submitted by The Yacht Harbour
Association
BRITISH WATERWAYS AND ITS ROLE IN RESTORATION
AND REGENERATION
The Yacht Harbour Association (TYHA) is the
Association for the Development of Coastal and Inland Boating
Facilities, and is dedicated to the constant improvement of yachting
and boating facilities. The Membership of the Association embraces
Marina and Mooring Operators, Professionals and Consultants and
Suppliers of Equipment and Services to the Marina Industry, both
in the UK and Overseas.
The Association is a Group Association within
the British Marine Federation (BMF) who embrace over 1500 UK Members
in the Marine Industry. Membership of the Association runs hand
in hand with Membership of the BMF.
We have a strong representation on the inland
waterway systems representing both marinas, contractors and professionals.
Hire fleets moored within marinas are generally represented by
another British Marine Federation Association but you may take
it that I shall represent their interests on this occasion.
Growth in the past ten years in the use of the
inland navigations has been very considerable and research has
indicated that the demand for new narrowboats alone has been between
800 and 1,000 boats per annum for the last five years. A British
Waterways (BW) study has identified the need for 11,500 new moorings
within marinas over a 10 year period and our industry is meeting
this demand on a sustainable basis by building new marinas often
assisted by the British Waterways New Marinas Unit.
This success story has been enabled because
BW embarked on a programme of waterways regeneration with partner
organisations which was coupled with an extensive programme covering
both safety and maintenance matters. This created a safe and extensive
network for the public to enjoy.
WHAT ARE
THE BENEFITS
OF THE
INLAND WATERWAYS
LEISURE INDUSTRY?
Tourism
Cruising the canals brings tourism benefits
to many canal-side businesses; pubs, restaurants and shops together
with many visitor attractions are obvious beneficiaries.
It should be understood that hire fleets attract
many customers from abroad and some private boats are foreign
owned. Many local authorities understand and welcome this vital
element within their tourism strategies.
Economic Benefit
The economic benefit of marinas is very considerable
and a study is currently in progress; it is being undertaken by
the British Marine Federation following completion of a similar
study of Coastal Marinas which was undertaken last year and which
demonstrates economic benefits above expectations! Obviously the
value added within a marina is dependent on the services and facilities
on offer and these may include servicing and repair, boat sales
and brokerage, chandlery and grocery outlets and bar, restaurant
or club type facilities. Basic facilities include toilets, showers,
launderettes and sewage pump-outs together with refuelling pumps.
Marinas and their customers bring benefit to
their communities in terms of employment, consumer demand and
taxes.
Regeneration
The extensive programmes of regeneration undertaken
by BW have been vital in enabling the growth of the boating industry
but they have also brought value to derelict or delapidated sites.
Of course, the regeneration of the canal infrastructure has been
vital for the boater to travel safely and quietly to enjoy many
of the remoter areas of the United Kingdom but regeneration within
towns and cities has brought tremendous social benefits on top
of the economic ones. These projects have created a solid capital
base for BW.
Our industry and customers feel that we are
threatened by the reduction in funding of BW and concerned when
we hear of projects like the Cotswold Canal Partnership not being
moved forward. We understand that BW had a really difficult choice
between restoring the Cotswold Canal or dealing with the Monmouth
and Brecon repair, but it is a difficult choice and we support
the need to repair and restore what we have. Having said that
though and taking into account the considerable economic benefits
already discussed, I firmly believe that BW should be funded for
both projects. The continued growth of demand is dependant on
the maintenance and expansion of the network and there is concern
that safety may be compromised which could lead to closures and
a reduction in network availability.
We believe that cuts in the BW grant have been
caused by financial problems within other departments beset by
foot and mouth costs or late payment of farmer's subsidies. Such
problems have nothing to do with BW which has performed well and
has the support of our industry in the majority of what it does.
Why not build upon success rather than penalise it?
I would like to take this opportunity to thank
the Committee for its support of BW and urge that this support
continues to enable funding to revert to its pre "cuts"
level.
Sam Bourne, Chairman and
Chief Executive
The Yacht Harbour Association
March 2008
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