UK. Inland Waterways Association scathing about BW betrayal of Cotswold Canals restoration
Monday, 04 February 2008
The Inland Waterways Association (IWA) has strongly condemned British Waterways’ (BW) decision today to renege on its commitment to the Cotswold Canals Partnership by withdrawing from its promise to contribute matching funds to the financial package to restore the canals between Brimscombe Port and Stonehouse, which is also being supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, regional and local authority funds and the voluntary waterway sector.
IWA believes that the decision is a short-sighted reaction, and not fully thought through, notwithstanding BW’s tight financial position and the need to undertake unexpected remedial work on the Monmouthshire, Brecon & Abergavenny Canals. IWA believes that more should have been done to secure new funds for the Monmouthshire, Brecon & Abergavenny canals from other sources rather than cannibalise a strategic restoration schemes that had momentum and secure funding .
IWA is also seriously critical of the lack of consultation and notice of yet another ‘major’ announcement from BW.
British Waterways had previously committed to fund £6 million towards the restoration project, following the announcement of £11.9 grant by the Heritage Lottery Fund in July 2004. In 2007, BW had made it known that it had concerns about its liability for cost overruns from the original cost estimates, but in late 2007 it was announced the funding position had been resolved following Stroud District Council’s agreement to take responsibility for works around Brimscombe Port.