Chiltern Grapevine
Waterways ‘National Trust’ by 2012 It was only last year that British Waterways unveiled its glossy proposals to transform itself into a third sector organisation by 2020. Yet now it seems that the transition to a ‘Civil Society Body’ can be achieved by April 2012. No doubt the original schedule was overly cautious, but with early endorsement of the idea by the new government, the way was open to move ahead more quickly. The announcement on the 14th October confirmed the policy to take British Waterways out of direct state control and the move has been generally welcomed by the IWA and other interested parties. As BW’s Chairman, Tony Hales, acknowledges, there is much work to be done if the transition arrangements are to be put in place and plans are already being developed for national and local boards to manage the waterways. It is understood that the new ‘Trust’ will retain links to commercial operations such as marinas and that the key property portfolio will be locked in. However, some significant hurdles remain to be overcome if the change is to become a reality. In particular, legislation is required to permit the transition to take place and a contract for long term funding needs to be established with DEFRA. Waterways north of the border will depend on suitable arrangements being made with the Scottish government. Currently it seems that the Environment Agency’s navigations will not be included as the issues are more complex and funding arrangements are less clear. So our waterways are heading for the biggest shake up since nationalisation in 1948. It is a step in the right direction towards a ‘National Waterways Conservancy’ as Robert Aikman proposed during IWA’s pioneering years.
Chiltern Branch Newsletter Autumn 2010 www.chilternbranchiwa.org.uk
www.waterways.org.uk