The Future of the Inland Waterways Parliamentary Briefing 1 The Inland Waterways Association IWA has a vision for “A thriving, growing (IWA) is a membership charity with network of sustainable inland waterways local branches that champions inland for everyone” and asks Members of waterway navigation and restoration Parliament to support that vision by issues across the country. Our members acknowledging the issues raised in this are passionate about all the ways in briefing document. We also encourage which people can enjoy the waterways, MPs to engage with the local waterways such as boating, angling, cycling and in their constituencies and to join the volunteering, as well as simply walking All Party Parliamentary Group for the along the towpath to enjoy the heritage Waterways. and wildlife. Why not join the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Waterways? Ebley Mill © Mike Gallagher & Cotswold Canals Trust 2 Overview of the current Issues Government Funding There are many concerns faced by the people who enjoy our country’s inland Adequate money for the ongoing waterways today, and IWA asks Members maintenance of the publicly owned of Parliament to support the work of waterways operated by Canal & River IWA in protecting those waterways, Trust and the Environment Agency. particularly on the following issues: The Environment Research into how the waterways can be more sustainable and could help contribute to the Government’s goal of the UK becoming carbon neutral by 2050. Affordable Moorings Working with local authorities to find solutions to address the lack of available moorings and associated facilities. Waterways Heritage Protecting what makes our waterways special through the local planning system. Waterways Restoration Can act as a catalyst for a much wider regeneration of the surrounding area. A thriving, growing network of sustainable inland waterways for everyone. 3 background Today waterways are seen as a valuable The two largest navigation authorities part of Britain’s landscape. The are Canal & River Trust (which was set popularity of recent TV programmes up as a charity in 2012 to manage the has introduced the waterways to a wider waterways previously run by British audience than ever before. The value that Waterways) and the Environment inland waterways bring to our nation Agency. Other navigation authorities includes improved health and well- include the Broads Authority, Middle being for the whole population through Level Commissioners and Scottish Canals opportunities for holidays, exercise and while other waterways are run by a recreation, and financial benefits to local mix of private, public and third sector economies through tourism, employment organisations. and regeneration. There is a good return for the public There are 4700 wonderful miles of funding of canals and navigable rivers. navigable canals and rivers in Britain, A cautious estimate of the benefit ratio along with a further 1800 miles which is 1:6 and this can be much higher when are currently derelict and abandoned. waterside property and commercial IWA supports the active restoration development is fully restored. of 700 of those derelict miles, as well as campaigning for the protection and improvement of all navigable waterways. Worth £3 billion 700 of those each year to derelict miles the UK could be economy restored The UK £0.7 billion Leisure Marine Employs over revenue 33,000 people from boating Industry in 4,500 UK tourism businesses 96,000 full-time A further jobs are supported £3 billion from by boating wider tourism tourism spend Source: British Marine 2017 4 Issue 1. Government Funding It is vitally important that the publicly research carried out for Canal & River owned waterways (the 2000 miles Trust estimates that waterways deliver an managed by Canal & River Trust and estimated social wellbeing value to those the 630 miles run by the Environment using just their waterways of £3.8 billion Agency) continue to receive sufficient per year [Canal & River Trust 2018] funding from Government. 1.2 environment agency Every year across urban and rural Britain navigation funding millions of us visit our inland waterways Along with its many environmental to fish, walk the towpath, observe responsibilities, the Environment Agency wildlife or go boating to enjoy the sheer manages the navigation of 630 miles of splendour of our canals and navigable waterways such as the River Thames and rivers. Access to the waterways is free, the River Medway in the south east, and and with over half the population living many waterways in the Anglian Region. within about 10 minutes of a waterway and towpaths are ideal for people to use Whilst funding for Canal & River Trust for walking, jogging, cycling, fishing, was guaranteed for 15 years from 2012, using boats and making journeys to work budget for the navigation function of or shops. the Environment Agency (which was 1.1 canal & river trust's originally proposed to be part of the new contract waterway charity when Canal & River Trust was being set up), is still subject to Canal & River Trust looks after 2000 cuts in the grant-in-aid. miles of canals and rivers in England and Wales. It has made great progress Following the announcement by since it came into being in 2012, to run Department for Environment, Food and the waterways previously managed by Rural Affairs in June 2019 that it would British Waterways, but it needs to see not be progressing Canal & River Trust’s a continued level of funding so that the offer to take on the management of EA’s many benefits of the waterways can navigations, it is now more important continue to be realised. Canal & River than ever to identify additional funds Trust’s 15 year contract comes to an end in order to prevent further asset in 2027, with a review starting in 2022. If deterioration and waterway closures. funding from Government were removed Only with increased funding will these completely it would have a disastrous navigations realise their potential effect on the role that these waterways through leisure, tourism, health and well- play in the economy and health of the being, all of which come with associated country. economic benefits for the local and wider UK economy. A continued level of Government funding in the future for Canal & River Trust is essential, given the significant benefits We ask MPs to ensure that budgets that the waterways in their care give to and legislation take account of the the nation in terms of leisure, health value of our waterways in terms of their and wellbeing for individuals, and to contribution to the nation’s economy, communities through tourism and the health, wellbeing and heritage. local economy. Economic valuation 5 Issue 2. The environment It is becoming increasingly important Currently the overwhelming proportion that research is carried out into how of craft navigating the inland waterways the waterways can be more sustainable of the UK are propelled by fossil fuels and could help contribute to the (mainly diesel but some petrol). Research Government’s goal of the UK becoming into alternative forms of propulsion carbon neutral by 2050. to these engines is imperative if the inland waterways are going to be able There is an expectation that the maritime to contribute to these carbon emission sector, including inland waterways, reduction goals. will transition away from fossil fuels, as outlined in the Department of Inland waterways can in themselves Transport’s Maritime 2050 Strategy. help the rest of the country be more The Government’s Clean Air Strategy sustainable, such as through more use of also outlines specific measures to tackle water transport for freight traffic to get air pollutant emissions from the UK’s more lorries off the roads, and more use maritime and inland waterways sectors, of weirs for generating hydro-electricity. with a long term transition to low and eventually zero emissions. We ask MPs to support research into new solutions to reduce the impact of climate change by embracing new developments and technologies. Electric hire narrow boat, Brecon & Abergavenny © Alison Smedley 6 Issue 3. affordable residential moorings IWA’s aspiration is for a vibrant inland IWA recognises the issues that arise as a waterways system where every boater result of the increasing number of people who wishes to have a permanent mooring choosing to live on boats. can find and afford one, and where all boaters can find suitable overnight Solutions are needed, working with local moorings while travelling around the authorities and the planning system, to waterways. address the lack of available moorings and associated facilities. In some areas of the country leisure and residential moorings are in short supply and the costs are beyond the reach of many people. IWA wants to see an increase in the number of affordable moorings to meet this need. IWA also wants families and young people to be able to afford to get afloat and enjoy the waterways. We ask MPs to support initiatives for affordable moorings in their constituencies, working with local authorities and to encourage Government to look at new ways to Regent’s Canal, Battlebridge Basin promote affordable boating. © Tim Lewis 7 Fazeley Junction, at the bottom of the Birmingham and Fazeley canal We ask MPs to support the © Angela Acott protection of inland waterways heritage in their constituencies through the local planning system and nationally by supporting sufficient funding and relevant legislation. Issue 4. protecting our Waterways heritage Britain’s waterways are home to over This heritage is what makes our 2700 listed structures, 50 scheduled waterways special and it needs ancient monuments and five UNESCO protecting through the local planning world heritage sites. The heritage of the system, and through sufficient funding inland waterways system encompasses for its maintenance. not just the canals and rivers themselves, but also the buildings, engineering Much of the waterways infrastructure is structures, working mechanisms, 200 to 250 years old; Government needs artefacts, boats, people and operations.