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The Inland Waterways Association - IWA

IWA has been lobbying Government, privately and publicly, ever since rumours of the asset sale surfaced

” At Budget 2009, it was announced that BW would transfer its property activities (including joint ventures) into a wholly-owned property subsidiary – in order to ensure clear separation of, and focus on, both maximising gains from its property and best management of the waterways.

This process is being taken forward by BW in consultation with HM Treasury, the Shareholder Executive and Defra. However, the Government recognises that there may be benefits in considering alternative structures for BW’s business as a whole, including its property portfolio. We will therefore consider alternative models for the business as a whole, such as mutual or third sector structures. As part of any such future structure for BW, therefore, there may be opportunities for the private sector to invest in the portfolio.”

Whilst on the face of it, this announcement is good news, there is a concern with the last part of the statement , which appears very ambiguous. There is therefore an urgent need to gain greater clarity about Government’s intentions. Although Government is looking at a wider set of options, it wants to look at opportunities for private sector involvement. It is however, unclear what role the private sector could have in investing in the property of a third sector organisation, and that cannot include interference with the revenue stream. Any third sector organisation vested with running the waterways will need that dowry.

Strong IWA Lobby

IWA has been lobbying Government, privately and publicly, ever since rumours of this sale surfaced. This has included the orchestration of a political lobby in the Commons and the Lords including; an Adjournment Debate and Early Day Motion, as well as numerous private meetings with Ministers take place in political support of our campaign. Our national chairman has even met with the Prime Minister and raised his concerns in private. We have also given vociferous support to the online petition that has achieved an unprecedented public response in only a matter of days. IWA is delighted with your help in engaging MPs and the public in support for the campaign and pleased that Government seems in part to have listened.

Retaining Assets Makes Economic Sense

Not selling BW’s assets makes economic sense. British Waterways’ property contributes some £45m per annum towards the £125m the company needs to maintain its inland waterways network, and to have sold the assets would have had dire consequences for the waterways, not only from a maintenance point of view but also in terms of British Waterways vision for becoming a third sector organisation.

IWA National Waterways Conservancy on Cards?

What is interesting from today’s announcement is that in issuing this statement Government has indicated its support for looking seriously at alternative models such as the third sector. IWA has long advocated a more independent ‘National Waterways Conservancy’ that has the best interests of the waterways at its heart, as a means of better managing the waterways. As such we see value in British Waterways’ third sector ideas. This announcement provides scope for more movement in that direction.

A change in status should enable British Waterways to develop its property income stream in a more effective manner, freeing itself from some of the limitations on borrowing and investment that it is currently shackled with. This should allow it to focus more on active restoration and regeneration as well as generating more income. IWA therefore supports further investigation of this approach.

Announcement is No Room for Complacency...

Whilst today’s announcement is in part good news, as I mentioned earlier, there is no room for complacency, especially given the ambiguity in the last part of Government’s statement, and we should all remember that there is still a serious funding gap. The SOS2010 campaign still needs support as we enter the period running up to the election. We need to demonstrate how lack of funding is affecting spending decisions and maintenance. We need to ensure that our support for the waterways remains firm. I would encourage everyone to continue to publicise and seek support for both the petition Petitions.Number10.gov.uk/ProtectOurCanals...

...and the SOS campaign , and let us know issues affecting the state of the waterways in your area via our web site at: www.Waterways.org.uk/SOS2010/SOS2010Upload