Cotswold Canals

IWA Press Release
 
Release Date: 4 February 2008
 
IWA Scathing About BW's Betrayal of Cotswold Canals
 
The Inland Waterways Association (IWA) has strongly condemned British Waterways' (BW) decision today to renege on its commitment to the Cotswold Canals Partnership by withdrawing from its promise to contribute matching funds to the financial package to restore the canals between Brimscombe Port and Stonehouse, which is also being supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, regional and local authority funds and the voluntary waterway sector.
 
IWA believes that the decision is a short-sighted reaction, and not fully thought through, notwithstanding BW's tight financial position and the need to undertake unexpected remedial work on the Monmouthshire, Brecon & Abergavenny Canals. IWA believes that more should have been done to secure new funds for the Monmouthshire, Brecon & Abergavenny canals from other sources rather than cannibalise a strategic restoration schemes that had momentum and secure funding .
 
IWA is also seriously critical of the lack of consultation and notice of yet another 'major' announcement from BW.
 
British Waterways had previously committed to fund £6 million towards the restoration project, following the announcement of £11.9 grant by the Heritage Lottery Fund in July 2004.  In 2007, BW had made it known that it had concerns about its liability for cost overruns from the original cost estimates, but in late 2007 it was announced the funding position had been resolved following Stroud District Council's agreement to take responsibility for works around Brimscombe Port.
 
IWA is very concerned that BW's surprise withdrawal will give excuses to other funding partners to pull out or reduce their commitments, but urges that confidence in the project be maintained whilst alternative funding solutions are found, or even slight scaling back of the project is considered.
 
John Fletcher, IWA national chairman, said "The Cotswold Canals restoration is a vitally important project, and it is of over-riding importance that the project should not be put in jeopardy.  IWA understands the financial demands and the necessity of early repairs so that the Brecon & Abergavenny Canal can be reopened as soon as possible.  We also sympathise with BW in the constraints that have been caused to it by a lower Grant-in-Aid settlement from Defra than it needs.  However, robbing the Cotswold Canals restoration to meet these obligations is strategically a bad decision, and for BW to break its promises at this stage reflects very badly on it. BW's actions are nothing less than a betrayal."
 
Neil Edwards, IWA chief executive, added "We are also very disappointed at the manner of BW's announcement, and the lack of prior warning to funding partners and members of the Partnership.  We would much prefer to have been given time for the parties to find a solution, and for BW to have been more open with us, rather than just making the announcement and dumping the problem for everyone else to sort out.  IWA will do everything it can to try to ensure the restoration proceeds as promptly and as fully as it can, including through its Restoration Committee and Waterway Recovery Group; but however pleased we are with the quick announcement of funding for the Brecon & Abergavenny Canal repairs, we believe that BW has gone about this in entirely the wrong way.  We have asked BW to reconsider its decision to withdraw from the Partnership."
 
Former CEO of British Waterways, and IWA vice president Dave Fletcher said of today's news: "I agree it is a disaster and betrayal of trust which must damage future restoration prospects for funding."
 
John Fletcher concluded: "This is bad news and a bad decision that we do not accept was necessary.  But however infuriated we are with BW's actions, we will work closely with all parties, particularly Cotswold Canals Trust and other funding bodies, to rescue as much as is possible from the situation.  We are absolutely determined that the Cotswold Canals restoration will succeed, and it is vitally important that we build upon the good works achieved so far, including BW's contribution to date."
 
 
ENDS
 
For further information please contact
Jo Gilbertson 01923 711 114
Notes for Editors

The Inland Waterways Association

The Inland Waterways Association (IWA) is a registered charity, founded in 1946, which advocates the conservation, use, maintenance, restoration and development of the inland waterways for public benefit.

IWA has about 18,000 members whose interests include boating, towing path walking, industrial archaeology, nature conservation and many other activities associated with the inland waterways.  Information provided by 188 corporate members with their own membership structures has revealed that they, in themselves, have a combined membership of at least 59,500 in support of IWA's voice.
IWA works closely with navigation authorities, other waterway bodies, a wide range of national and local authorities, voluntary, private and public sector organisations to raise funds, lobby for support and encourage public participation in the inland waterways.

More than 500 miles of canals and navigable rivers have been re-opened to public use since the Association was founded in 1946.  Currently another 500 miles of derelict inland waterways are the subject of restoration plans.