Environment

Foreword

This paper sets out the policies of the Inland Waterways Association, as a position statement for reference by all interested parties and as guidance to members and officers of the Association, in relation to environmental issues with which it is directly involved.

The Inland Waterways Association is a registered charity, founded in 1946 and campaigns for the conservation, use, maintenance, restoration and development of the inland waterways. It has over 18,000 members whose interests include boating, towpath walking, industrial archaeology, nature conservation and many other activities associated with the inland waterways.

The natural and built heritage value of this country’s inland waterways is second to none and is perhaps the primary attraction for many of today’s users of the waterways - both from this country and abroad. Since its inception, IWA has campaigned for the enhancement of this value through active conservation and restoration of degraded and derelict waterways and the preservation of historic structures and natural habitats. The Association has also campaigned for the public right to use and appreciate this value first hand and places great emphasis on the need to preserve the inland waterways as a living network and not a museum piece.

In this vein, IWA will continue to campaign for the enhancement of all aspects of the waterway environment and will encourage its members to be guided by the Association’s policies wherever possible. There is room for the wide range of existing interests in an environmentally sustainable future for the inland waterways. Cooperation between interested parties is key to this bright future and the policies contained in this paper set out the principles which will govern IWA’s work in the waterway environment in years to come.

I commend ‘Our Waterway Environment’ to all its readers.

Richard Drake
Ex-National Chairman, Inland Waterways Association.

(A) Conservation, maintenance and operation

A1: IWA will encourage the proper maintenance of inland waterways for navigation. The Association will endorse dredging initiatives which minimise any short term environmental impact of such works, and thus enhance the total environmental capital of the waterway. IWA believes that dredging should be carried out to the full construction profile for artificial channels. Deep, well dredged channels are generally more beneficial to wildlife than shallow silted ones.

A2: Where possible, maintenance should be carried out at times when the disturbance to wildlife can be minimised yet undue restriction to waterway users avoided. IWA will urge navigation authorities to reach a mutually acceptable agreement between interested parties in developing a timetable for works.

A2.1: Necessary restrictions on the usage of navigations for maintenance purposes will be accepted by the Association provided that every effort should be made to ensure that disruption of use is minimised. The Association may make representations to the bodies involved if disruption to navigation is deemed by IWA to be unnecessary or unjustifiably prolonged. Undue restrictions which are imposed for non-essential works or other reasons will be opposed. Works should be undertaken in a way which has least adverse impact upon wildlife.

A3: IWA will encourage improved water quality in discharges to waterways and better monitoring of water quality standards, especially on canals, by those bodies responsible. The Association will draw attention to the susceptibility of canals to poor water quality and encourage the relevant authorities to attach equal importance to water quality on canals as on rivers.

A3.1: Canals are particularly susceptible to poor water quality, with associated risks to their users as a result of their low flushing rates and in some areas a historic legacy of industrial pollution. There is a need to treat them on an equal footing to rivers, which is presently not the case and the Association will make every effort to address this shortcoming through dialogue with appropriate organisations.

A4: IWA will oppose any general restrictions on the use of inland waterways for navigation, including restriction of navigation activity by space or time zoning, by number of boat movements or restrictions on particular types of vessel.

A4.1: Healthy natural ecosystems should be maintained; where the ecosystems of rivers and streams have declined they should be restored so that restrictions on navigation to protect species which have taken refuge on man made waterways are not required. Canals were originally constructed for navigation purposes and any proposal to restrict these uses requires careful balancing of the issues involved. Their use for navigation and recreation should not be unduly restricted for nature conservation purposes.

A4.2 The Association supports the Rio Declaration’s definition of the "precautionary approach": precautionary measures to prevent environmental degradation should be taken where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage or there is adequate scientific evidence about the nature of likely degradation and the balance of likely costs and benefits justifies action.

A5: The Association is supportive of the re-introduction of species and the enhancement of biodiversity provided that this is not at the expense of boating and waterside interests.

A6: IWA will encourage the conservation of the built heritage of the waterway including earthworks, structures, buildings, artefacts, sites of historical interest and other heritage features in situ and the full recognition of their value. The Association supports the use of such features for environmentally sympathetic uses including education, conservation and sustainable tourism.

A6.1: It is important also that the cultural and historic background of inland waterways is fully recognised, respected and preserved. The Association will promote, through its responses to consultations, archaeological surveys and other initiatives which attach importance to heritage sites and artefacts. IWA will campaign for the greater recognition of the need to preserve waterway artefacts. The incorporation of such features into interpretative, educational and other facilities is a way of achieving their preservation and will be encouraged wherever possible. Where it is inevitable that artefacts cannot remain in situ they should, wherever possible, be carefully recorded in situ and then preserved and displayed. Appropriate materials should be utilised for the repair and maintenance of structures and features and the individual characteristics of each waterway should be retained.

(B) Restoration

B1: IWA will promote and encourage restoration of derelict waterways and, where appropriate, the creation of new waterways and associated structures in a manner which gives consideration to environmental and heritage interests. IWA will encourage dialogue with other interested conservation and user organisations to ensure that natural and built environments are safeguarded or enhanced where possible.

B1.1: Most waterway restoration projects are carried out by independent canal societies or trusts, by local authorities or existing navigation authorities, or by partnerships of these bodies. IWA’s role is primarily in encouraging the promotion of restoration schemes, offering advice and technical expertise, and influencing Government and agencies towards greater understanding of the benefits of waterway restoration. IWA provides voluntary labour to assist in restoration projects throughout Britain through its subsidiary Waterway Recovery Group (WRG). By funding WRG and by direct grants it provides financial support for many schemes. There are also restoration and improvement schemes which are directly organised by IWA branches.

B1.2: IWA will provide guidance and advice to restoration bodies whenever requested on measures to safeguard and enhance the environmental capital of waterways under restoration. The Association is producing a handbook relating to the practical and technical aspects of waterway restoration, which includes details of such measures.

(C) Development

C1: IWA will usually oppose any development which does not respect the built and natural heritage value of the waterway corridor. This may include development or redevelopment of waterway structures, waterside property (listed or otherwise), floating structures or other developments that detrimentally affect the waterway scene and the landscape viewed from the waterway.

C1.1: Wherever possible new developments must be in keeping with (although not necessarily mimic), and should preferably enhance, the landscape value of waterways. Development and maintenance of existing structures should respect and complement the original design and should ensure associated waterway structures are conserved. Where a substantial proportion of building stock survives, this should be maintained (or restored) and put to sympathetic use. Where no (or minimal) stock survives, the Association would encourage suitable modern designs. Where some stock, but substantially less than all, remains, there should be scope for a judicious blend of old and new styles.

C2: New development or re-development of land, buildings or structures associated with inland waterways should respect the principles of sustainable development.

C2.1: The most widely accepted definition of sustainable development is that stated in the Brundtland Report (1987): "Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

C3: IWA will usually oppose any built development which permanently reduces the waterspace available on the inland waterways system, including development covering the lines of waterways not currently navigable.

C3.1: The Association has long campaigned for the maintenance of waterspace available to users of the inland waterways and its extension by restoration of derelict waterways. Developments that involve infilling of parts of the existing or future system will be opposed, except in cases where acceptable accessible compensatory water area is provided as part of the development. Similarly, building developments that encroach over the waterspace and limit access by boats will be opposed.

C4: IWA will oppose the inappropriate permanent siting of vessels or other structures in the water space of the inland waterway system. IWA will generally oppose such proposals where any obstruction is caused to waterway vessels or to users of the towpath, where the development will limit availability of waterspace for visitor moorings or waterway related activity or where nuisance is likely to result to other waterway users.

C4.1: With ever increasing pressures on land use in built-up areas, there is an attraction in using waterspace as a cheap substitute for land. In all cases, the principal test of acceptability to the Association is whether the development is compatible with waterway-related uses and the character of the waterway environment (see Policy C1).

C4.2: In general IWA supports developments that encourage interest in the waterways and, subject to the criteria detailed below, will encourage floating developments such as restaurant boats that navigate the waterway from time to time, boats providing services to other waterway users, visitor attractions with a waterways theme and waterway related educational and youth projects.

C4.3: IWA supports the use of the inland waterways by permanently moored residential boats, provided that they comply with appropriate regulations and byelaws set by the navigation authority, the local authority and other relevant bodies. IWA will take a view on proposals for new residential moorings on a case by case basis taking account of the criteria detailed below.

C4.4: Any floating development that hinders normal navigation of waterway craft will always be opposed. IWA is concerned to maintain or restore availability of the waterways to vessels of the maximum size for which they were designed and will seek to ensure that, even if such craft do not currently use the waterway, the potential use by such vessels is not hindered by the development. Introduction of any vessel larger than the waterway design standard will normally be opposed.

C4.5: IWA campaigns for adequate maintenance of towing paths and detailed policies are included in its Towing Path Policy. Any floating development that obstructs the towing path will be opposed.

C4.6: In some areas mooring space is at a premium and ideal sites for floating developments which depend on public access are also likely to be sites of greatest value for visitor moorings or for developments supporting waterborne activities or providing services to boaters. Each case will need to be considered individually, although IWA will generally oppose developments not directly related to the waterway that reduce availability of visitor moorings at popular locations or limit the availability of waterspace for waterway related activities.

C4.7: Certain types of development can result in nuisance (e.g. noise, traffic, security problems) to other waterway users, particularly when located near to residential or overnight moorings. IWA will consider this on a case-specific basis in relation to details of each development proposal.

C4.8: Any floating development should meet the usual requirements of the navigation authority regarding registration, licensing and insurance and should comply with appropriate safety regulations (for example the Boat Safety Scheme, fire certificates, etc).

C5: IWA will generally oppose major developments and drainage works which would result in increased rates of storm run-off to water courses. IWA is supportive of the Environment Agency’s policies against further development in flood plains and will support measures to increase water retention in river catchments.

C5.1: Urban development and drainage work can result in faster rates of run-off during extreme weather events and, in dry weather periods, reduced flows and levels in rivers, causing hindrance to navigation.

C5.2: The Environment Agency advocates strict limitations on development in flood plains, to be implemented via the planning system and IWA is supportive of this. IWA is also supportive of measures to slow down the release of water in catchments to the sea, giving greater opportunity for the use of such water for purposes such as navigation, replenishment of aquifers and improvement of habitats.

C6: The Association supports measures by all users to economise in their use of water and to develop the awareness of others of the need to do so. However, it will oppose any restriction on water supplies to navigable waterways unless the decision is based on sound scientific research taking full account of the needs of navigation as well as other users in relation to available supplies. Similarly IWA will oppose applications for increased abstractions from water courses or waterways unless measures are taken to ensure that there is no significant adverse impact on navigation.

C6.1: Canal authorities are portrayed by some organisations as major abstractors of water from rivers which, it is alleged, suffer low flows and environmental stress as a result. IWA believes that there are many other abstractions which place greater stress on river ecosystems than do canals and it will seek to provide evidence of this wherever possible.

C6.2: In the 200 years or so since most canals were constructed their water supply and drainage functions have become fully integrated into the various river catchments they traverse (although many catchments’ yield and drainage characteristics have altered greatly since canals were first constructed). Priorities for water use have also changed over this time and are likely to change further in the future, with possible changes to legislation reflecting this.

C6.3: There are many ways in which water can be conserved, for example through avoiding abstraction in excess of requirements and increased storage of water within a catchment during winter when supplies are plentiful to augment low flows during shortages in summer and prevent the need for drought orders. Appropriate measures such as back pumping at locks and water transfer to augment resources will usually be supported by the Association; IWA will encourage full consideration and mitigation of any environmental consequences which result.

(D) Education

D1: IWA will encourage increased access to waterways for environmentally responsible recreation as a means to encourage environmental awareness. The Association will support schemes which incorporate sensitively designed and sited interpretative material and encourage facilities for disabled access.

D1.1: Recreation should be an important tool for developing environmental awareness and the concept of environmental stewardship through first hand contact with the countryside. Recreational facilities should, wherever possible, incorporate material which will develop the awareness and stewardship of users towards their environment.

(E) Research

E1: Proper scientific research should be the foundation of decisions regarding waterway usage, management and restoration where appropriate. The Association will encourage research into areas relevant to user interests where better information is required. IWA will advocate the wider use of scientific research as a foundation for decision making.

E1.1: Research detailing the interaction between waterway usage and the environment is scarce. The analyses of data contained in existing studies have often not provided statistically significant relationships. There is evidence that in many cases, navigation is of benefit to a number of species by, for example, maintaining a clear channel.

E1.2: The current level of knowledge on the environmental impacts of boating, cycling, walking and fishing on wildlife is poor and more research is needed to enable these impacts to be assessed accurately. In particular, more detailed research is required regarding the effects of different intensities of boat traffic on individual species, an area where understanding is incomplete and results have often been misinterpreted. Impacts of use will vary on different waterways and this needs to be examined further, with research into local impacts being undertaken alongside studies on a national scale. This information can then be used to determine ways in which adverse impacts can be minimised or avoided.

(F) Consultation

F1: IWA will, where possible, take part in and respond to consultations on environmental matters. IWA will seek a greater commitment from government and non-government agencies and organisations to full and effective consultation on environmental issues affecting inland waterways. The Association will liaise with organisations (both government and non-government) to ensure that the organisations have a better understanding of waterway issues.

F1.1: IWA responds to Local Environment Agency Plans, other Environment Agency plans and strategies, publications and public consultations by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, English Nature strategies, plans and designations and inquiries by parliamentary committees. It is also involved in consultation with other bodies such as British Waterways, The National Trust, Countryside Council for Wales, water companies and other recreation and environmental bodies. The Association maintains close links with appropriate local authorities and provides comments on development plans and individual planning proposals that might affect the inland waterways.

F1.2: The Association has called for consultation by all public bodies to be comprehensive and to involve all interested parties. This situation is improving but many consultations are still little more than public relations exercises which result in little meaningful change to the original plan or strategy.

F1.3: The Association is concerned that some organisations do not recognise canals on an equal standing with rivers. Canals are valuable resources, not only for navigation and recreation, but also for heritage and wildlife.

F2: IWA will seek representation on committees and forums to promote a fuller understanding of navigation and recreation issues and their interaction with the environment.

F2.1: These include: local authority committees; local, regional and national committees of major organisations, eg BW and Environment Agency; and those committees monitoring or steering research on environmental matters relating to waterways.

F2.2: Representation on committees and forums enables IWA to become actively involved in decision making and information sharing processes which would otherwise be inaccessible to the Association. This is of great value to IWA, enhancing its ability to influence decisions and future policies, plans and activities which may affect the interests of the Association’s members.

F3: IWA will support the production of management plans for waterways which take account of the requirements for navigation whilst seeking to minimise local adverse environmental impacts. The Association will, where possible, become involved in the development of management plans for waterways.

F3.1: The production of management plans is encouraged in principle by the Association, provided that these adopt a logical, pragmatic and reasonable stance with respect to all aspects of the environment. Some organisations may produce management plans for specific waterways in the future. The Association will welcome these initiatives and will seek to influence such plans through consultation with the relevant organisations in order to ensure that navigation and recreation interests are adequately represented. In doing so, the Association will have regard to the environmental impacts of all proposals relating to navigation and will seek to ensure that adverse impacts are minimised. Such management plans should ideally be agreed between navigation and conservation interests.

F4: IWA will endeavour to maintain an understanding of the principles and details of current and future planning and environmental legislation (both UK and European) which may have an impact on navigation or water based recreation. The Association will seek to ensure that it is included on consultation lists for, and is aware of, any future legislation which may be relevant to its interests.

F4.1: It is essential that IWA maintains an understanding of the law and its implications for the members and interests of the Association. This is important if IWA is to optimise its influence upon waterway issues. In order to provide maximum representation for its members, IWA will seek to influence future legislation through participation in the consultation processes involved.

F4.2: It is also necessary to understand and recognise how Agencies such as the Environment Agency, English Nature, Countryside Council for Wales and British Waterways are bound by UK legislation and how this may affect the way in which IWA interacts with such bodies.

(G) Carriage of freight

G1: IWA will promote the fullest use of inland waterways for freight transport including their incorporation into the national integrated transport policy. The Association will work to ensure that the wider environmental benefits of such usage, including those beyond the waterway, are considered and will promote mitigation measures to minimise any local adverse environmental impacts on waterways and other waterway users which may result.

G1.1: The value of navigable waterways as a means to transport certain bulk cargoes in an environmentally preferable manner is increasingly recognised by Government. IWA will press for the full incorporation of suitable waterways and methods of transport within an integrated transport strategy. The Association accepts that increased waterway traffic may sometimes have a locally detrimental effect upon the waterway environment; however, this may be to the benefit of the environment as a whole due to a reduction in road freight. The Association will make every effort to ensure that any adverse effects of commercial usage of the inland waterways are minimised.

(H) Internal organisation

H1: IWA will maintain an Environment Panel to advise the Association on environmental matters.

H1.1: IWA’s Environment Panel is a resource base of suitably qualified individuals. Recruitment of further experts will diversify the base of experience to cover all aspects of the natural and built environment.

H2: The Association will operate, and will encourage its members to operate, in a way which has regard to environmental impacts.

H2.1: The Association will endeavour to undertake its operations in an environmentally aware fashion, using recycled products where appropriate and recycling waste material where economically viable. The Association’s members and staff will be expected to be energy and waste conscious. Where resources permit, guidance may be produced as to the current best practice in all areas of IWA operations.

H3: The Association will promote its policies with regard to environmental issues amongst its members and other groups and organisations and will encourage research into areas of concern.

H3.1: IWA will promote itself as an environmentally responsible organisation. Wherever possible, the Association will consider all environmental concerns relating to waterways and suggest that appropriate mitigation and improvement measures be developed.

H3.2: IWA will encourage environmental assessments to be undertaken before all schemes which are likely to have a major effect upon wildlife.

Amended and Approved by IWA Council 17th March 2001