Memorandum submitted by the Stroud District
of the Campaign to Protect Rural England
I write on behalf of the Stroud District of
the Campaign to Protect Rural England to express our views on
the withdrawal of British Waterways from the Cotswold Canals Partnership
and to suggest ways forward for The Thames Severn Way project.
1. Firstly, we note from the Committee's
report on British Waterways (BW) in July 2007 that there was recognition
of:
— the difficulties faced by BW in the
past two years arising from lower than expected grant levels;
— the disruption caused by the 2006-07
budget cut because BW had already committed resources to a series
of projects;
— the need for BW to have a longer
term funding contract with the Government to provide greater stability
to the waterways network, which had been recommended in the Policy
Review of 2004-05 and that such a contract should be agreed sooner
rather than later.
2. We note from the Defra announcement on
21 February 2008 that the grant to BW for 2008-09 at £56.624
million is really (on a like for like basis compared with this
year) a reduction when inflation is taken into account.
3. We would make the following points for
consideration by the Committee:
(a) There should be a clear distinction made
between the role of leader/project manager for the restoration
of the canal structure, including the tow paths, bridges, locks
and so forth, and the entirely separate issues of funding for
the project and the associated property development along the
waterway.
(b) It is important that the leader/project
manager should provide continuity throughout the whole project
and should, subsequently, be the custodian of the waterway and
responsible for its maintenance.
(c) On that basis, it is essential that BW
returns to the Cotswold Canals Partnership and resumes its role
(at least) as leader and project manager of The Severn Thames
Way project on which it is still working on the Stroudwater Navigation
section. The Government should guarantee BW's continuing participation
in the project and ensure that BW does not jump in and out of
the Partnership because of Defra funding difficulties.
(d) What is the point of having an organisation
(BW) whose aim/objectives are to create sustainable waterways
for the future and to be responsible for maintaining 2,200 miles
of the inland waterways network and for them not to be involved
in, possibly, the longest and most challenging waterway project
in the country? It's like building a new mainline railway and
not involving Network Rail.
(e) BW has been involved with the planning
and preparation work for this project for many years and has often
expressed its commitment to the project. Work started on the restoration
in October last year at a well publicised photo-shoot.
(f) The withdrawal of BW has obviously created
a vacuum. This may adversely influence, quite understandably,
the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and the South West Regional Development
Agency (SWRDA)—the major funders—who have yet to decide
whether some £18 million of funding will remain in place.
If it does not, the Government will have caused this major project
to grind to a halt with the loss of a much needed waterway for
business and pleasure, the revitalised community and tourist facilities
along a number of sections of the route, and environmental, economic
and social benefits over a much wider area.
(g) It is hard to believe that the Government,
the Treasury and Defra have thought through the consequences of
forcing BW into the decision to withdraw from this waterways project
due to lack of resources. The Government should ensure that the
funds committed by BW (about £5 million) are restored to
the Partnership, whether through Defra or from elsewhere such
as the Department for Communities and Local Government, and HLF
and SWRDA should be notified very quickly.
4. We hope that the Committee will share
our views on the key role of BW on waterway projects and our considered
opinions as to the actions needed now to ensure the continuation
of The Severn Thames Way project.
Geoffrey M Murray, Vice
Chairman
CPRE Stroud District
March 2008
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