Funding consultation

Waterways Funding Consultation - IWA seeks another way

Release Date: 29 October 2007

The Inland Waterway Association (IWA) announced today that it was seeking input from members and other interested parties on how they think the waterways, and in particular British Waterways’ controlled network should be funded.

The initiative is prompted by IWA’s disquiet at British Waterways’ proposals for licence fee increases, which IWA considers excessive, and likely to drive waterway users off the network. IWA is also critical of British Waterways manner in making the licence fee consultation ‘one sided’ and offering no alternative thinking or solutions to the funding deficit.

In announcing IWA’s funding consultation Dr Roger Squires, chairman of IWA’s navigation Committee, said:

 ” IWA is fundamentally unhappy with both British Waterways and the Government because neither appears to have got its act together regarding funding of the waterways. We don’t see this impasse being resolved quickly so IWA intends to take the initiative and seek to present to the navigation authorities and Government alternative solutions to bridge the funding gap. In doing this IWA intends to offer  waterway users something sadly lacking from British Waterways and Government of late; that is, the opportunity to be properly consulted, and have their say on how they think the waterways should be funded, and an opportunity to participate in some ‘out of the box’ thinking.”

 He went on to say:

 “IWA considers that whilst we have to very reluctantly accept that British Waterways has insufficient funds to meet its needs, caused by past Government mismanagement which now needs to be made up; pushing boaters to fund these through licence fee increases that are way above inflation is un-tenable. IWA members have a vast wealth of experience and knowledge and we are inviting them to fully participate in shaping the thinking on how the future of the waterways can be safeguarded for all and drive the debate forward with some positive problem solving”.
 

Members and other interested parties wishing to make a contribution are invited to email them to Jo Gilbertson, at funding@waterways.org.uk  or they may write to

Jo Gilbertson, IWA, 3 Norfolk Court, Norfolk Road, Rickmansworth, WD3 1LT marking correspondence ‘Funding’.

For further information please contact

Jo Gilbertson, Campaign Coordinator, 01923 711114 ext. 31,

e-mail,  Jo.Gilbertson@waterways.org.uk

Ends

Notes for Editors
 

IWA has a diverse membership of over 18,000 of whom approximately 10,000 are boat owners or boat owning organisations. IWA’s primary aims are, to ensure the nation’s inland waterways are restored and maintained to the best possible standards, and kept accessible for the benefit of all people.

IWA is resolutely opposed to any proposal which allows the waterways to become the exclusive domain of the rich. IWA believes that British Waterways’ proposal to increase private boat licence fees significantly above the rate of inflation (of 33% over the next three years) will impact unfairly on the less advantaged, denying them an equal opportunity to enjoy what we all value so highly, and taking away much of the diversity and colour that the Government and British Waterways both acknowledge is what makes the waterscape in Britain so attractive to other users and investors. (BW claim £19 Billion current regeneration). IWA maintains that exclusion creates social divisions that ultimately can only be to the detriment of the waterways and the local environment.

IWA fears that excessive licence fee increases as proposed by British Waterways
(www.waterways.org.uk/News/OtherCampaigns/LicenceFeeConsultation ) will have a disproportionate effect on the waterways as less affluent boaters are priced out of the market, and will not be offset by people new to the waterways. IWA is aware that boat builders’ indicate  there is now a decline in orders for new boats, many marinas are not at capacity, and the boating holiday market (as measured by hire boat licences issued by navigation authorities) is in decline in the UK. When combined with the current economic slowdown, interest rate increases and a lack of general consumer confidence and an unwillingness to commit to major purchases, it suggests that boating has reached a plateau and is likely to decline in the prevailing economic climate. Licence fees are therefore now likely to be inelastic (contrary to the historic research conducted by British Waterways) and cannot be increased significantly further without adverse consequences on boating numbers. In the prevailing circumstances applying the increases and then reviewing the effects on the market would be a reckless course of action.

IWA is also critical of the nature of British Waterways’ consultation; in which it is presumed that the licence fee increases are a given, and that users are merely being consulted on how they would like to see the increases applied, not on the increases themselves, the justification for the increases, or on other alternatives to resolve British Waterways’ financial position.

IWA maintains that within British Waterways’ purported justification for increases, two key issues have been glossed over. Firstly; the continuing role of government in failing to adequately fund the waterways, despite their vital function in flood relief, regeneration and tourism. Secondly; the failure by British Waterways to seek to find ways to adequately account for and charge other non-boating users whom compose around 97% of all use of the waterways, and for whom British Waterways acknowledge there is a viable case for charging, but that the methodology is ‘too difficult to contemplate’. IWA believes that it is here that greater effort is needed to find an equitable way of charging all users.