Mid Worcestershire Liberal Democrats

Press Release 5 th March 2007

LibDems Support ‘Save our Waterways’ Campaign

Cllr Margaret Rowley, speaking at the Liberal Democrats spring conference last weekend, condemned cuts to the Government grant to British Waterways. The grant was cut half way through the financial year by 12.5% to replace funds lost through the Government’s bungling of the Single Farm Payment Scheme.

Speaking in support of the Liberal Democrat ‘Canal Cuts are Nuts’ campaign, Cllr Rowley, who chairs Droitwich Canals Trust, said

“What appeared to be a policy favourable to the development of waterways was dealt a severe blow when funding for canal maintenance was suddenly withdrawn last year. Had the Government forgotten that the restoration of Britain’s canal network has been responsible for urban and rural regeneration worth £2bn over the last ten years?

“The Droitwich Canals restoration project alone is expected to create 330,000 new visits to the area, creating an extra spend of £2.75m per year in the local economy.

“The linear park created will provide a place to relax and visit the countryside and urban parks with walks, boat trips, picnic sites, play areas and information and interpretation sites. New businesses are expected to locate along the canals generating further economic benefit.

“Although funding for the project has now been confirmed, there has been a delay due to the down-sizing and re-organisation of the British Waterways team. There remains concern over the capacity of British Waterways to provide long term maintenance unless the funding is restored.”

Conference delegates voted unanimously to call on the Government to use the contingency fund to reverse short-term cuts arising from the loss of the Single Farm Payment Scheme and to give full weight to the social, economic and environmental importance of the waterway network in determining future grant levels for British Waterways.