Memorandum submitted by Sedgemoor District
Council
1. It was with dismay and disappointment
that this Council learnt of the reduction in funding to British
Waterways by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural
Affairs which has lead to the withdrawal of BW funding of £6
million to the Cotswold Canal. The implications of this are vast
and far-reaching.
2. Funding and support in many ways from
British Waterways has been critical to much of the work we have
done, and continue to do, and we welcome this opportunity of being
able to ask EFRA to reconsider this reduction in funding which
has already resulted in withdrawing from the Cotswold Canal project
but could also have an adverse effect on other work undertaken
by British Waterways.
3. Our own restored Bridgwater and Taunton
Canal is hugely dependent upon British Waterways having the ability
to maintain and run the Canal to a standard that makes it navigable
and a green corridor resource to be used and enjoyed by the widest
possible number of users. Sedgemoor District Council, Taunton
Deane Borough Council and Somerset County Council work closely
with BW and have an Agreement which commits funding from their
own resources to help towards this work This Partnership works
well and has brought benefit not only to the towns at either end
of the Canal but throughout the whole length.
4. Both Bridgwater and Taunton have "turned
their back" on the Canal in the past but with the regeneration
work that is now taking place—albeit Taunton more advanced
than Bridgwater—the Canal plays a pivotal role in the way
forward. There are many examples of where canals have been used
as a focus for regeneration and enhancement and have brought immense
economic benefit and vitality to their locality.
5. During the last 18 months a county-wide
partnership of local authorities and British Waterways bid for
£50 million Big Lottery funding for their "Waterlinks"
project. Waterlinks would have used 21 projects to link the whole
of the Somerset Levels by navigation, waterside paths and cycleways,
regenerated existing buildings and created new waterside opportunities
which would have provided not only a wonderful tourism attraction
but have brought financial benefit, increase and uplift in jobs,
opportunities for rural diversification, and many other chances
to maximise and build on the uniqueness of the area. Whilst short-listed
amongst the final six we were unsuccessful in winning. Nonetheless,
this experience gave the partnership the benefit of receiving
£500,000. A major part of Waterlinks would have been to use
the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal and link it into the Rivers Tone
and Parrett and thereby create a navigable waterway between Bridgwater
and Langport—a week's journey by boat. Also within Waterlinks
was to be the Kingfisher Centre for canoeing, rowing and kayaking.
All examples of how rejuvenated waterways can bring new life into
the towns, villages and countryside through which they pass, create
opportunities for diversification and draw communities together.
6. We believe that what was planned for
the Cotswold Canal would have brought all, and more of the benefits
enumerated above and to have vital funding withdrawn in this way
could have a dire effect on the whole project. Obviously hopes
and expectations have been raised and to have them dashed at this
stage is devastating for all concerned.
7. British Waterways have a responsibility
for many of the UK canals which are part of our national heritage.
Indeed, it has been their policy over many years to encourage
the use of these canals for recreation and leisure, health, education,
exercise, environment and navigation. The unexpected breach in
the Monmouth and Brecon Canal should not be the reason for withdrawing
support from another vital project.
8. As a Local Authority we urge DEFRA to
reconsider their funding to British Waterways. The future of our
national heritage, our canals, is largely dependent upon British
Waterways being able to maintain them for future generations and
promote and regenerate those that have fallen into disuse.
Cllr. Anne Fraser, MBE,
Sedgemoor District Council
March 2008
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