Most of the canals in England and Wales are run by British Waterways (BW). Some of the navigable rivers (such as the Severn, Trent and Weaver) are also run by BW. Other navigable rivers (such as the Thames, Nene and Great Ouse) are run by the Environment Agency (EA). Both BW and EA are currently funded by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
Back in 2006, DEFRA announced massive cuts to its grant-in-aid to British Waterways (BW) and the Environment Agency (EA). These cuts had serious implications for the operation and maintenance of the waterways of England and Wales. The Scottish waterways are suffering much less, since the Scottish Executive's £10.9 million grant to BW remained unchanged. Because the EA's budget is spread between all parts of its organisation, the greatest effects have been felt on the canals and rivers operated by BW.
After it had told BW what its grant for the financial year 2006-7 was to be, the Government then cut this by 5% in March and a further 7.5% later in the year, totalling 12.5% of BW's grant - about £7.6 million out of the £62.5 million originally due to them from DEFRA. A further proposed cut of 2.5% in the Autumn was held back. The Department has advised BW that their grant is likely to be cut further in the years 2008-2011 with a possible total of a loss of £60 million over five years.
In November 2007, reports suggest that £130 million is to be cut from DEFRA's total budget, which will be spread across all the bodies funded by DEFRA, including BW and EA, but BW is alleged to be "at the top of the list" for cuts.
In 2006, the Save Our Waterways campaign was launched, bringing together ten national organisations to take a united stand for the waterways. In 2006 and 2007, there were protest gatherings at waterways around the country, resulting in much press and television publicity being given to the cuts. Early Day Motions in Parliament were signed by MPs from all parties and a massive petition was presented to 10 Downing Street. It seems possible that the additional 2.5% cutback proposed for Autumn 2006 was not put into effect because of the pressure put on MPs.
In spite of last year's efforts and achievements, the Government is still looking towards the waterways as a soft target for making further funding cuts. We must continue with our efforts to publicise the effects that such cuts will have. We must put forward ideas for more realistic ways of achieving adequate funding for the waterways we love.
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