A National Trust for the Waterways

Setting a new course – Britain’s waterways in the third sector

British Waterways published a report on 17 December on its proposals to secure the future of the nation’s 200-year-old canals and navigable rivers by creating a ‘national trust’ for the waterways. The move to the third sector from direct state control has been met with wide-ranging support in England and Wales since its proposal in May. The publication of Setting a new course, Britain’s waterways in the third sector aims to advance the debate, promote discussion and further inform stakeholders’ views.

British Waterways will finalise its policy proposals regarding a ‘national trust’ for the waterways in the spring ahead of firm recommendations being made to government. It believes the move will create closer links with waterside communities and will help towards closing the current £30-million annual gap in funding for canal maintenance and repairs while minimising the call on the taxpayer for funding.

The report, produced by a team of third sector experts, incorporates input from waterway stakeholders including those at British Waterways’ recent Annual Meeting. It identifies that as a charity British Waterways would sit on the boundary between the third and public sectors – other examples of organisations in this space include museums, universities and foundation hospitals. As well as being the guardian of the UK’s third largest collection of listed buildings, the report notes that, as a charity, British Waterways would be the UK’s 13th largest by income; comparable to charities such as the British Red Cross Society and Barnardo’s.

Tony Hales, British Waterways’ chairman, comments: “British Waterways is responsible for over 2000 miles of waterway, for the third largest collection of listed structures in the country, for dozens of Sites of Special Scientific Interest and for underpinning £10-billion of regeneration, and yet we operate today within a framework designed almost half a century ago for a minor freight infrastructure operator.

“The waterways are suffering from a real term grant reduction in England & Wales since 2003, and have a considerable funding shortfall. Without the required spend on canal maintenance and repairs the overall physical state of Britain's waterways will once again go into decline.

“The time has come for change and, at a time when all major political parties are committed to furthering partnerships with the third sector, such a move would give British Waterways a greater chance of protecting the waterways and maximising the public benefit they could create.”

With 11 million visitors to British Waterways’ canals and rivers a year, the report identifies a large potential audience which is currently mainly untapped for financial and volunteer support. As a third sector organisation, a wider range of community stakeholders could have a say in new governance arrangements, while British Waterways’ directors and management could work to much longer horizons with the security of an agreed long term government funding contract.

Moving from the public sector would allow British Waterways increased borrowing capacity and greater freedom to exploit and earn more money from joint ventures. By becoming independent, the organisation could be more innovative and entrepreneurial and would also be able to work more closely with other organisations concerned with conservation, heritage, education and community issues.

Tony Hales continues: “Like all successful organisations in the third sector, a ‘national trust’ for the waterways would have a clear and simple aim which illustrates the ongoing objective to protect our canal and river environment and heritage.

“I believe the third sector is the best and only feasible option to continue the renaissance of Britain’s ageing waterways, which continue to play an increasingly important role in flood alleviation, supporting jobs, waterside regeneration, biodiversity and the UK leisure and tourism industry. Moving to the third sector would secure a more socially, environmentally and economically sustainable future for this important national treasure.”

n The full report can be read on the British Waterways’ website: www.britishwaterways.co.uk/settinganewcourse

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