get sensible

Release Date:  21 August 2007

The Inland Waterways Association (IWA) has called on British Waterways to “get sensible“on mooring provision and to consider cheaper alternatives to fully serviced marinas.

The call comes as the House of Commons Select Committee Report expresses concerns associated with British Waterways’ introduction of tendering for moorings, which may further increase the cost of boating and lead to exclusivity.

The Association, which has lobbied against British Waterways’ proposals for tendering for moorings, believes that the navigation authority must start to promote less ambitious mooring schemes to waterside landowners. These might only entail creating simple mooring lay-bys, for boats to moor herring-bone style, with minimal facilities, but at considerably cheaper rates than those charged by commercial marinas.

IWA also advocates that there should be every opportunity for boat-owners to form their own co-operatives and run their own moorings as boat clubs, and that BW is ideally placed to introduce appropriate land-owners to boating groups to encourage this process.

IWA considers it essential that a range of facilities and moorings should be available, with commensurate pricing, to ensure that boating remains affordable to all sectors of society.

Neil Edwards IWA Chief Executive said;

 “The Association has outlined some specific ideas to British Waterways and has consistently advocated the need for a range of moorings to suit all pockets, so that waterways can continue to be enjoyed by all sectors of society”

Neil continued:

 “Affordability is essential to maintain widespread public support and participation. British Waterways is currently considering the specific ideas that we recently suggested, and I look forward to hearing their response”. 

For more in formation on IWA mooring policy go to;

http://www.waterways.org.uk/Library/PolicyDocuments/Off-LineMoorings

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Jo Gilbertson, IWA Campaigns Co-ordinator   Tel: 01923 711114 ext 31

Notes to Editors

Inland Waterway Marina Development

British Waterways is a public corporation that manages and more than 2,200 miles (3,540 km) of canals and rivers in England, Scotland and Wales.

Following the launch of BW’s investment guide, in March 2006, which encourages new marina developments, BW has helped private operators construct new boating facilities with a capacity for about 1,600 berths.

Whilst a further 500 new marina berths are projected for completion by private operators before April 2008.  To meet its target and to keep pace with demand, BW estimates that a further 10,000 new marina berths are required over the next nine years.

In addition to investors and operators, BW has targeted waterside land owners, specifically farmers, who can benefit from the renaissance and growth in boating.

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.