'WATERWAYS FOR TOMORROW' - A NEW LEASE OF LIFE FOR OUR INLAND WATERWAYS

Britain's inland waterways are set to play a major role in the Government's urban and rural regeneration drive, Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott revealed recently. He said the national system of canals and navigable rivers could make a significant contribution to tackling social exclusion and deprivation by acting as a catalyst for economic and social renewal.
Launching "Waterways for Tomorrow", a new policy vision for our inland waterways, Mr. Prescott said that improving and restoring canals and rivers, and redeveloping disused and derelict waterside land could help to deliver the Government's target for development on brownfield sites as well as creating jobs and business opportunities. To emphasise this the report was launched at Willowtree Marina in West London, a former wharf area which has been developed into a thriving mixed-use site in a public-private partnership between Laing Homes Ltd, Hillingdon Borough Council, British Waterways and Willowtree Marine Ltd. The site supports local businesses, including a popular waterside cafe-bar and family housing, as well as being home to many leisure craft.
Mr. Prescott said: "This policy is good news for the environment, for rural and urban communities and for the economy. Already there are many good-practice examples of urban regeneration, such as the mixed-use developments being carried out in Leeds and at Paddington Basin in London, bringing jobs, housing, tourism and enhanced leisure facilities. 'Waterways for Tomorrow' encourages a greater and more innovative use of the waterways. It also promotes partnerships between the bodies who manage the waterways and all sectors of society - local communities, Government agencies, the private sector - to develop the waterways and bring in investment.
The document highlights imaginative projects such as the soon-to-be-expanded 'Fibreway' fibre-optic data network; and the 'Water Grid' which would use canals to move water from one part of the country to another. These projects will generate much needed income to plough back into the maintenance and improvement of the waterways.
Mr. Prescott continued: "British Waterways is already making good progress in unlocking the potential of its waterways, forming innovative partnerships with the private sector. But I want to see more done by all navigation authorities. That is why I am asking local authorities and Regional Development Agencies to play their part by ensuring that they take account of waterways in their regeneration plans and support worthwhile projects for their improvement, development and restoration.
"Our inland waterways are one of our most important national assets. We value them not only for their heritage, but because they improve the quality of the environment and people's lives. By revitalising the waterways, we can deliver real benefits to the environment, to local communities and to businesses"
'Waterways for Tomorrow' sets out the Government's plans for the waterways including:
Recreation, Leisure and Tourism - greater recreational use and enhanced access to the waterways for all, especially the young, disabled and disadvantaged.
Benefits to the Environment - new waterside development should respect, conserve and enhance the waterways and their built and natural heritage. The Government supports action plans to conserve and enhance biodiversity and encourages navigation authorities to provide/promote facilities for electric boats where practical and economic;
Planning Guidance - New guidance will be produced, so that road and bridge building does not hinder future waterway restoration; the Government will also continue to review each PPG so that the planning system encourages the development of the inland waterways; the Inland Waterways Amenity Advisory Council will prepare good practice guidance, with examples of good planning;
Freight - transfer of freight from road to waterway is encouraged whenever practical and the Government will consider extending the Freight Facilities Grant scheme for capital projects; it will also consider allowing Grants for non-capital projects for the first time; in addition, a Freight Study Group will be set up to examine options for the increased transfer of freight to the waterways.
Public/Public Partnerships - formal plans by British Waterways and the Environment Agency to work even more closely together are welcomed and all navigation authorities are encouraged to work closely together, and with Regional Development Agencies and Local Authorities to improve the system. RDAs are also asked to consider waterways in their strategies and to support waterways projects;
Public/Private Partnerships - private partnership is an important way to generate income. The PPPs being taken forward by British Waterways will bring in new investment and help the waterways to achieve their full potential.
Public/Voluntary Partnerships - Involving the general public in the waterways is crucial and the creation of The Waterways Trust as a charitable trust to promote our waterways and raise funds for restoration, is welcomed; British Waterways' proposal that the Trust set up a new subscription service to provide information about the waterways is endorsed.

Our Comment: SCARS has long held that the Sankey holds the key to meeting many of Mr Prescott’s aspirations - the value of the restoration work itself (£100m. including the proposed new cut to the Leeds and Liverpool at Melling) will inject instant new money into the local economy over a wide area from West Lancashire through Merseyside to Warrington and Halton. The leisure opportunities which then arise will continue to generate future income whilst the enhanced environment gives pleasure to the people drawn to the canal. New avenues for development in areas which may have been thought of as non-productive or limited in their potential will be opened up as a result. People like water, and property values are increased by its proximity.
Noting BW’s renewed interest in assisting restoration projects, the SCARS Executive is inviting their Regional Director, Derek Cochrane, to a meeting to discuss the present opportunities for restoration of the Sankey. We are also continuing to encourage our three Local Authorities to take advantage of any initiatives which will further the restoration process. We hope that Mr Prescott’s words will act as a further stimulus to them, and anticipate fresh initiatives towards restoring the country’s first true canal.