|
At its meeting on 10th March, the Association’s Council
resolved to continue IWA’s campaign for improved funding for the inland
waterways, and in particular to restore the level of Grant-in-aid received from
central government for British Waterways and the Environment Agency’s
navigations. Members of Council also expressed their appreciation of the very
considerable practical support demonstrated by such a wide range of members and
supporters, particularly in the activities over the weekend 3rd and 4th March.
Council concluded that the inland waterways had achieved a very significant
profile and goodwill with the vast majority of Members of Parliament, but that
there was a need to maintain this through the forthcoming Comprehensive
Spending Review, which will affect the budgets for all areas of government over
the next few years, and in any re-juggling of departmental responsibilities for
the election of a successor prime minister, when it is possible that the inland
waterways, and British Waterways in particular, could find itself reporting to,
and funded by, a different part of government.
The Waterway Community Day events held over 3rd and 4th
March characterised the strong community that exists amongst waterways users
– in many cases turning out in good numbers despite appalling weather
conditions, engaging with others to extol the virtues of canals and river
navigations and working together in partnerships of all forms with unrelenting
good humour, determination and camaraderie.
Many events were truly joint affairs in their organisation,
bringing together boat clubs, waterway societies, associations, individuals and
IWA branches along with significant support from a complete cross section of
inland waterways users: angling federations fished, canoeists paddled and
cyclists, wheelchair users and those on foot plied the towing paths,
accompanied by community boat users. There was even a boat-horse - and a
sailing dinghy to represent those afloat on the canal water supply reservoirs.
Regional television, radio and the press gave the activities good coverage
before, during and after the event.
In considering the need for continued communication to
politicians; in particular writing letters to MPs, the Association’s
Council was deeply conscious that waterway supporters cannot afford to be
complacent with the success to date, and must continue to remind the ministers
that Government’s Waterways for Tomorrow commitments are now being
broken. Council was concerned that this winter’s reductions in maintenance
were in danger of being the thin end of a wedge that could undermine the
multitude of benefits that the inland waterways so clearly bring to many
communities.
IWA is to continue to encourage members and other waterway
supporters to write yet again to their constituency MP, and also the MPs who
cover the areas in which they use canals and rivers. This time, MPs should be
encouraged to ask the Waterways Minister, Barry Gardiner, how he equates the
document Waterways for Tomorrow with the recent actions of the
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, and to request that he
addresses an area of the document that they are concerned about, illustrated by
examples relevant in their community – such as wildlife, regeneration,
freight, etc. If supporters ask about specific issues that are important to
them, it helps avoid junior civil servants churning out standard replies.
Council believes that the civil servants and politicians
need to be reminded of government’s stated vision in Waterways for
Tomorrow, published in June 2000, which said: “A vision for the
inland waterways: The inland waterways are an important asset for future
generations to enjoy and the Government is keen to see them maintained and
developed in a sustainable way so that they fulfil their social, economic and
environmental potential. We want to ensure that the many benefits and
opportunities they provide are used to the full…. The government want to
ensure that the many benefits and opportunities they provide are fully,
imaginatively and adventurously used by all.”
It was stated in 2000 that “inland waterways are to
be looked at as whole”, listing the areas that cross government’s
full agenda: heritage, innovative uses (e.g. water transfer,
telecommunications), regeneration and urban renaissance, environmental and
educational benefits, freight and leisure. IWA believes that Government needs
to be reminded that it is their remit to champion waterways across all
departments, and that an innovative approach to secure long-term funding is
needed to enable waterways to continue to deliver against all aspects of
Government’s agenda. This requires the attention of a range of government
departments, and provides opportunities for campaigning direct to many senior
politicians and ministers.
The Waterways for Tomorrow document is available at:
http://tinyurl.com/vsood . |
