Customer Service And Partnership Key To Canal Regeneration

7 October 2004

Inland waterways delivering for people of Scotland with increased activity across the network 

A continued focus on customer service and increased partnership working are at the heart of an ongoing British Waterways' transformation that will ensure the country's canals continue to deliver real benefits for the people of Scotland.  

Addressing a large audience at British Waterways Scotland's 5th Annual meeting in Edinburgh, Jim Stirling, Director, Scotland, highlighted the strengthening of the British Waterways team and the continued support from the Scottish Executive as two of the key contributory elements in a productive year.  

The meeting heard that trading income increased by 7.3% to ?3.2 million in 2003/04, although it was noted that this figure accounted for only 19.25% of total revenue. The bulk of British Waterways income in Scotland is government Grant in Aid.  

The announcement by the Scottish Executive of increased grant of ?10.9 million for 2006/07 and ?11.4 million for 2007/08 was welcomed by British Waterways, and Chairman, George Greener, reinforced the importance of this continued support as the organisation and its partners look to deliver the vision contained in the far reaching policy document, Scotland's Canals - An Asset for the Future.

George Greener commented: "This increase in grant from 2006 is tremendous news. The support of the Scottish Executive is invaluable as British Waterways Scotland and its partners achieve the development and improvement of all its canals. As a result of this strong support the backlog of safety related maintenance across Scotland's canals was eliminated in March 2004 - eight months ahead of schedule. I look forward to continuing to strengthen our relationship with the Scottish Executive. 

In acknowledgement of this strong support, British Waterways has pledged to match the new funding from the Scottish Executive by investing ?12-15million additional capital in Scotland for waterside projects.  

An important development this year was the creation of The Scottish Canals Development Group - a new pan-Scotland partnership involving all those bodies who can contribute to and benefit from vibrant canals. 

Commenting on this development Campbell Christie, Vice Chairman of British Waterways and Chairman of the British Waterways Scotland Group, said: "In addressing the inaugural meeting of the Scottish Canals Development Group, Transport Minister, Nicol Stephen, set out a clear common agenda, highlighting the shared vision and positive impact Scotland's canals can have at both a local and national level. There is a huge opportunity on our canals and I welcome the involvement of our partners in transforming our vision into reality." 

Over the past year British Waterways has seen huge improvements on all its canals. On the Caledonian the ?20 million programme to improve the reliability and efficiency of the waterway is nearing completion while on the Crinan Canal successful embankment and lock stabilisation works were undertaken and timber freight increased through Ardrishaig. 

On the Lowland Canals, additional moorings were added at various locations while The Falkirk Wheel reinforced its position as one of the country's leading visitor attractions.  

Jim Stirling said: "In the last few years the Highland Canals and the Lowland Canals have undergone a transformation and taken on a new lease of life which could only be dreamed of a couple of decades ago. The canals are now secure and are continuing to see a significant increase in use both on the water and alongside.

"The priorities for British Waterways Scotland are clear. By having a much stronger focus on the needs and wishes of our customers and by working together with our partners we are adding value to the economy, the environment and the social welfare of Scotland by delivering busier, safer and more vibrant waterways." 

Ends  

Issued on behalf of British Waterways Scotland by Wave PR. Contact Chris Bell, Tel: 0141 303 8390 Mobile: 07974 692 330 or Jonathan Kennedy Mobile 07799 768 968 

Note to Editors

2003/04 Highlights

Lowland Canals 

Caledonian Canal