The Inland Waterways Association (IWA) today announced the first steps in its plans to fight the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs reduction of grant-in-aid to British Waterways and the Environment Agency. The spending cuts imposed by the Department’s action could have a devastating effect on the maintenance and future development of much of the canal and river network throughout England and Wales.

Since the severity of the cuts was made public – resulting in British Waterways’ announcement of its plans to make 10% of its workforce redundant – the officers and trustees of the Association have formulated plans to marshal the force of its many members to mount a major national campaign. IWA membership includes not only individuals but other organisations and corporate members; a combined membership of over 80,000, representing every aspect of the use of the waterways.

IWA has appointed consultants Waterway Images Ltd. to assist with the organisation of its campaign. Principals Julie Arnold and Harry Arnold have many years of experience in campaigning for and promoting the waterways, both professionally and as voluntary officers of IWA and a number of societies and trusts. They will co-ordinate the campaign that IWA is conducting through its nationwide branch network and work with other organisations - such as the British Marine Federation and the Royal Yachting Association – and many other national and local groups in a concerted effort to get the funding cuts reversed. IWA and British Marine Federation have also funded consultancy work by former MP Candy Atherton, a boat owner, who is assisting our work on parliamentary lobbying.

At the Association’s Annual General Meeting, held on 30th September, IWA members were encouraged to write to their MP to express their concern about the impact of the cuts on the waterways in their community, and to encourage MPs to lobby ministers within the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs. As a next step, IWA is urging all waterway users to write to their MPs to support and sign-up to the Early Day Motion laid down in Parliament by Charlotte Atkins MP last Monday. The motion calls upon the Government immediately to reinstate the cuts in British Waterways’ Grant-in-Aid and to ensure that long-term funding is guaranteed to enable continued investment and restoration of the waterways.

IWA Chairman John Fletcher said - “IWA is the major national voluntary organisation representing inland waterway users and is currently celebrating its Diamond Jubilee: 60 years of successful campaigning in which we have fought to ensure that our once near-derelict navigable waterway system has been rescued, restored and regenerated as a major public asset and amenity. Little did we expect when we planned our Diamond Jubilee celebrations, that we would have to mount a campaign of this magnitude to fight for the very waterways saved by members over the Association’s life”

He went on to say - “Certainly, we did not expect such cuts from a Government department that has previously recognised the value of our waterways. It is IWA’s long held belief that waterways are for all members of the community and we will campaign vigorously on behalf of the public who are the main beneficiaries of a flourishing river and canal network. ”

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