IWA Support for Cotswold Canals water scheme

IWA is supporting the Cotswold Canals Trust in campaigning for a scheme to provide desperately needed additional water supplies to London and the South East, and could enable the restoration of the whole 36 miles of the Thames-Severn link. IWA submitted responses to this and the other Water Resource Management Plans currently out for consultation.

The consultation considers a wide range of issues affecting water resources but the biggest impact on canal restoration is how to transfer water from the Severn to the Thames. Both a pipeline and open-water transfer via restored canals are being considered.

A key omission in the consultation when comparing the canal versus pipeline is the presentation of a wellconsidered analysis of the financial value of the restored canal to society and the local economy. This seems to have been largely ignored but the Cotswold Canals Trust has used the recent IWA Waterways for Today report to calculate the additional financial value of restoring the canal. This could run to about £800m over the next 80 years (the basis on which the costs and best value calculations are based). That additional benefit more than offsets the difference in cost between the pipeline and canal options. It also justifies pressing for the full restoration of the canal rather than the minimum necessary to enable the transfer of water alone.

Waterways 'Restoration Showcase' set to return in July Steamship Danny to be the exhibition venue on the River Weaver

The Chester & Merseyside Branch of IWA has agreed with the team at the heritage steamship Danny for the vessel to host a rerun of the successful Restoration Showcase promoting canal and navigable river projects. The decision comes a er popular public support for a similar event held in Canning Dock Liverpool in 2019.

The event is to take place on the weekend of 29th-30th July, during school holidays when the ship is berthed static at its Su on Weaver Wharf. The organisers hope that the ee exhibition will a ract waterway enthusiasts, the general public and families to see the work of voluntary organisations across the North West and Wales bringing life back to long-abandoned waterways.

Launched in 1903, Danny is registered on the National Historic Ships register alongside the Cu Sark and will be open to the public to enjoy its art deco lounges with hot drinks, snacks and alcoholic beverages available om the galley. There will also be outdoor space where families can enjoy a picnic.

The 2019 event a racted more than 500 visitors despite atrocious weather, with 12 organisations exhibiting, while a Covid-cancelled event planned for 2021 had 15 organisations accepting invitations. The UK has more than 2,000 miles of navigable waterways and restoration societies are commi ed across the country to expanding the network, bringing many miles of neglected and abandoned waterways back to navigable standards.

Jim Forkin (IWA Chair, Chester & Merseyside) said: “The navigable waterways in the UK contribute some £2.5bn to the economy while providing a ‘green’ corridor ee for people to enjoy and that figure can grow further if the system is fully restored to its previous glory. The work of these societies and their volunteers needs to be brought to the a ention of the public and decision makers in socie .”

Les Green (volunteer for Danny) added: “The Danny team were delighted when the showcase idea was put to us, both to support these wonderful societies and for Danny as a small exhibition space being able to fulfil its potential as a multifunctional asset for the local populations.”

Su on Weaver Wharf is easy to find, located on the A56 around 8 miles west of Warrington and within a mile of J12 on the M56 motorway. Danny is moored right next to the swing bridge.

Nominations open for IWA awards

Hundreds of volunteers give their time to support the waterways through IWA. Each year, a number of these volunteers are nominated for and presented with IWA’s national awards. The awards are a way of recognising the amazing work carried out by our supporters throughout the year, and over longer periods of time too.

Nominations for these awards are now open. From fundraising e orts to restoration endeavours, it is time to say thank you for the contributions that we simply could not do without.

Nominations for awards are invited om members, branches and regions and should be emailed to awards@ waterways.org.uk or posted to Awards Panel c/o IWA Head O ce, Unit 16B, Chiltern Court, Asheridge Road, Chesham, HP5 2PX by 30th June 2023. Award nominations are then considered by an Awards Panel nominated by trustees and recommendations made to trustees for final approval.

Office move

IWA has relocated to a new head o ce as the 15-year lease on Island House ended this year. The team didn’t have far to move as the new head o ce is conveniently located in Chesham.

A redirect has temporarily been put in place for any mail sent to the old address, but please make sure to use the new address in future: IWA Head O ce Unit 16B, Chiltern Court, Asheridge Road, Chesham, Buckinghamshire, HP5 2PX

The winners of the national awards for 2023 will be announced at the national AGM in September.

Award categories

Cyril S ring Trophy IWA’s premier award is presented to a member who has made an outstanding contribution to the association’s campaign.

John Heap Salver The association’s major fundraising award is given to a member who has made an outstanding contribution to raising funds for the association.

Christopher Power Prize Awarded to the person, socie or trust who has made the most significant contribution to the restoration of an ameni waterway.

Richard Bird Medals These medals are awarded to members whose e orts and support are considered to have brought considerable benefit to the association over a sustained period.