BW Scotland Budget statement

25 March 2010

British Waterways (BW) welcomes the UK Government’s announcement today in its Budget statement of plans to move England & Wales' 200-year old canal network into a 'mutual' organisation, such as a charitable trust, and is discussing with the Scottish Government the options for its waterways in Scotland.

Tony Hales, BW chairman, comments: "This is a very significant moment in the history of our inland waterways, which helped put the great into Great Britain as an industrial nation. We believe that the third sector format offers the best opportunity for all BW’s waterways, giving communities greater involvement in their running, providing a more stable long-term footing for the network and, over time, reducing costs to the taxpayer. We also recognise that any decisions related to the future of Scotland’s waterways are for the Scottish Government to make and must be in the interests of Scotland."

There is further work required to identify the exact form of a new body, the detail of its governance and relationship with government and British Waterways will therefore be working closely with the UK and Scottish Governments to develop the proposals.

Tony Hales adds: "The waterways in Scotland have undergone an extraordinary transformation in the last decade, from a moribund system to one which is playing an active part in the life and economy of the nation. We believe they have a very bright future indeed and look forward to our continued discussions with the Scottish Government over the coming months."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Since devolution, British Waterways’ activities in Scotland have been sponsored and funded by the Scottish Government.

The public corporation has its origins in the post-war nationalisation of Britain’s transport networks. In recent years, the British Waterways’ network across Scotland, England and Wales has undergone a remarkable transformation – thanks to increased commercial income, government grants, lottery funding and partnerships with the voluntary sector.

In particular, British Waterways Scotland’s relationship with the Scottish Government has allowed the organisation to develop a bespoke approach reflecting the individual characteristics and opportunities of the Scottish canals and one which helps deliver the Scottish Government’s Purpose and strategic objectives for a Successful Scotland and for sustainable economic growth.
Indeed, new independent economic research estimates that the revitalisation of the Scottish canal network, that started with the £78m Millennium Link and The Falkirk Wheel and continued with a £20m investment in the Caledonian Canal, has generated £342m of private investment.
Forecasts suggest that the 137 mile long network, which includes the Caledonian, Forth & Clyde, Union, Crinan and Monkland canals, has the potential to generate much more if investment were to continue at current levels.

For more information on the Scottish canal network visit: www.scottishcanals.co.uk