Memorandum submitted by Mike O'Connor
CBE
I was for ten years the Director (Chief Executive)
of the Millennium Commission. The Commission was a Lottery Distributor
and invested a total of £2.3 billion in projects across the
UK.
We supported a number of projects concerned
with the restoration of Canals, eg Rochdale Canal, Huddersfield
Narrow Canal and the Millennium Ribble Link. In many such projects
we worked with British Waterways.
I understand the Select Committee is carrying
out a review of the work of British Waterways.
My experience of working with British Waterways
is that they were an excellent partner in delivering economic
and social regeneration. We particularly valued the expertise
and commitment they brought to the table. Such projects rarely
run smoothly and in British Waterways we always had a partner
who had the experience to find innovative solutions and the willingness
work with us flexibly and with the long term in mind.
British Waterways have made a huge contribution,
not just to bringing back into use national assets which have
suffered from underinvestment for generations, but in promoting
sustainable transport and regeneration. I hope the Committee will
support the role of British Waterways into the future where their
work will be more important than ever.
Mike O'Connor CBE
March 2008
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