Foreword
By the Deputy Prime Minister the Right Hon John Prescott MP Secretary of State for the Environment Transport and the Regions
Today everyone enjoys the inland waterways. But only 35 years ago the future of the nationalised system hung in the balance. Freight traffic was dying. Pleasure boating was only in its infancy. Few appreciated the system's heritage value. Many canals were falling into decay. Much of the system was under threat of closure.
It is thanks to Barbara Castle that the waterways survived. Alerted to the problem by waterway enthusiasts, she saw the enormous potential the waterways had for recreation and amenity. Her Bill which became the Transport Act 1968 created the structure that enabled the nationalised system to remain more or less intact, and ready to meet the needs of the future.
Last year we took a thorough look at British Waterways. We set out a package of measures including increased investment; opportunities for partnership with the private sector attracting private finance; long-term partnerships with other bodies stimulating regeneration; and a closer relationship with the millions of people using the waterways. British Waterways is making excellent progress in pursuing these initiatives within a clear strategic framework.
In this document we look at the inland waterways as a whole. We recognise their heritage value needs conserving. But the waterways are not a museum. Innovative uses such as water transfer and telecommunications are being developed. The waterways contribute to the renaissance of our inner cities; they enhance residential developments; they offer important environmental and educational benefits; and they have continuing scope for transporting freight. Taken together with the ever-growing leisure market our waterways are a sustainable resource that can flourish. The prospects are exciting.
The White Paper foreshadowing the 1968 Act contained the following prophetic words: "In the waterways this country possesses a priceless asset, an asset whose value will grow as the demand for leisure facilities intensifies. The government now intends the British Waterways Board to have a new and positive role to play in the development of this potential, recognised by statute for the first time. This is in effect a new charter for the waterways."
Our aim is to renew this charter for all the country's waterways. We want to ensure that the many benefits and opportunities they provide are fully, imaginatively and adventurously used by all.
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Published 27 June 2000
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