THE Fund Britain’s Waterways campaign has issued a statement in the run-up to the local elections in England and Wales on May 2.
Describing the network of 5000 miles of canals and navigable rivers as a unique national asset, it states: “Almost 80% of local authorities have a navigable waterway or a waterway under restoration, and waterways touch the lives of millions.”
Former Waterways Minister Sir Robert Atkins, currently a local councillor and trustee of the Inland Waterways Association, said: “Britain’s inland waterway network is an irreplaceable part of the national infrastructure which generates numerous public benefits and should be safeguarded through more adequate public funding.
“From boaters and local businesses to recreational groups and individuals who value our waterways, we are united in looking towards local as well as national government and seeking support from our elected representatives. Our waterways matter to people and politicians must address the concerns.”
The statement continues: “Yet concern for the future of Britain’s inland waterways is mounting. More frequent episodes of extreme weather are taking their toll, inflation is biting and funding is already constrained and planned to fall further.
“Fund Britain’s Waterways (FBW) has come together as a coalition of more than 120 organisations representing hundreds of thousands of users and supporters of inland waterways. Since June 2023 it has been campaigning for national and local government to act now and protect the public benefit and natural capital of our waterways.”
According to FBW an estimated 8.9 million peopletook part in an inland boating or watersports activity in 2022., resulting in the delivery of £3.1 billion in GVA (Gross Value Added) to the UK economy in 2022/23 and supporting over 132,000 jobs.
“Millions of hours of volunteer effort have already gone into restoring derelict waterways, and volunteers around the country are continuing restoration projects or helping to maintain and operate active waterways.
“Media coverage such as the BBC’s recent Countryfile feature is helping to highlight the importance of waterways to local communities, as well as their contribution to the environmental resilience, heritage, health and wellbeing and economic prosperity of the nation.”
