A Strategy for Waterway Restoration

Introduction

The purpose of this document is to provide a frame of reference for IWA's activities on waterway restoration whereby tasks may be prioritised, activities approved and allocation of resources justified.  It gives IWA's long term planning view of restoration.  Details of the strategy may need to be revised periodically but the general principles should hold for a substantial period of time.

The strategy sets out: the aim of IWA in respect of restoration, the objectives which must be achieved to satisfy the aim and the tasks which must be undertaken to achieve these objectives.  It then sets out a number of policies - agreed courses of action - which are necessary to achieve the aim and objectives in the most effective way.

1. AIM

IWA's aim is to advocate the restoration of derelict waterways in the British Isles for public benefit.

The word waterway means navigable watercourse, i.e. navigable canal, drain or river.

2. OBJECTIVES

To achieve the aim it is necessary to:

2. Secure support for restoration from local communities, local authorities, Environment Agency, navigation authorities and funding agencies.

2.2. Secure human and financial resources for restoration.

2.3. Obtain legislation and guidance documents, from Government and its agencies, that are favourable to restoration.

2.4 Achieve high quality sustainable restorations, suitable for navigation and other public uses, with adequate provision for future maintenance to appropriate standards.
3. TASKS

IWA's tasks are to:

3.1. Promote the value and feasibility of waterway restoration at a national, regional and local level.

3.2. Initiate and sustain restoration projects as appropriate.

3.3.     Support: organisations undertaking restoration projects such as waterway societies and trusts, local authorities, navigation authorities.

 organisations providing human resources for voluntary restoration work such as WRG, KESCRG, NWPG, community service, employment and training schemes.

3.4. Influence Government and political parties in favour of waterway restoration and the promotion of favourable legislation and guidance.

3.5. Study the factors which influence the progress of restoration projects
such as planning, organisation, administration, engineering, environmental concerns, promotion, publicity, finance, economics, Government and government agency policies.

3.6. Demonstrate by studies and reports: 
 engineering feasibility;
 economic and environmental benefits;
 conservation, recreational and heritage value.

3.7. Advise organisations interested in waterway restoration on aspects of the work.

4. POLICIES

IWA will:

4.1. Operate a Restoration Committee whose aim is to further the restoration of derelict waterways by:

- advocating, in all practical ways, their restoration to full use,
- assisting those seeking advice or support on waterway restoration,
- publishing information and promoting communication within and beyond the waterways movement,
- maximising the volume of funds that funding agencies devote to waterway restoration by assisting the agencies to understand the merits and benefits of the funding proposals submitted to them, and
- ensuring that there is proper strategy and forward planning within the Association for the promotion of waterway restoration.

The Committee should regularly review its strategy for achieving its aims.  It should offer advice in the fields of planning, administration, engineering, conservation, promotion, publicity, finance and economics but not provide assistance with physical restoration.

4.2. Operate, and provide financial support to, IWA's subsidiary company Waterway Recovery Group whose aims are to provide and to co-ordinate voluntary labour to support waterway restoration projects in the British Isles.

4.3. Encourage every IWA branch to maintain a close relationship with organisations promoting or undertaking waterway restorations within the branch area, and to initiate and support restoration projects where appropriate.

4.4. Provide funds to:

- initiate and sustain restoration projects,
- assist in financing particular important projects,
- support the operation of Restoration Committee and WRG.

4.5 Provide short-term loans to bodies having objects similar to those of the Association to address cash-flow problems.

4.6. Publish information relevant to restoration in the Association's publications.