Memorandum submitted by The Parks Trust
Milton Keynes
I understand the Environment, Food and Rural
Affairs Select Committee are to hold a one-off evidence session
on British Waterways. I would simply like to make it known to
the Committee of the very significant work undertaken by BW in
the Milton Keynes Area to support a wide range of partners from
the public private and voluntary sector to create a new canal
from Milton Keynes to Bedford. Without BW's enthusiasm, commitment
and considerable expertise we could never have got this project
off the ground. No doubt it will be a long time before the new
canal is complete but we are making good progress and BW's support
is vital.
It would be terrible if the outcome of this
enquiry in any way limited BW's ability to work in partnership
with others who need their support or if it threatened their ability
to invest in other waterway regeneration projects. The waterways
in this country represent a huge opportunity for regeneration
and economic development and there is so much more that can be
done but we will need a strong, confident and well resourced British
Waterways to achieve this.
David Foster, Chief Executive
The Parks Trust Milton Keynes
March 2008
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