Hear the Rallying Cry for Britain's Waterways!
Urges Britain's Legislature (Westminster) on Waterways Financing
A lively yet impactful rally descended upon Westminster this week, as the Save Our Canals campaign, led by the coalition Fund Britain's Waterways, made its presence known.
A vibrant convoy of boats, totaling 26 in number, impelled their way past the Palace of Westminster on Wednesday, 7th May, serving as a moving testament to the need for a robust waterways future. The parade was a poignant representation of a call to action for the government to safeguard our invaluable inland waterways.
The journey began with a small group of vessels setting sail from the Strawberry Island Boat Club in Doncaster, marking the commencement of a major campaign cruise on 29th March. The route wound through numerous locks, reaching London after negotiating a tireless 172 of them.
The colorful convoy included a pair of historical fuel boats, an antique narrowboat, a Dutch barge, and private narrowboats from around the country. Some of these vessels endured the challenges posed by ailing canal infrastructure and even a pollution event in their unyielding pursuit of Westminster.
Upon arrival, the vessels captured the cheers of supporters on Westminster Bridge, attracting the gaze of MPs gathering for Prime Minister's questions on the Palace's terrace. The welcome party included enthusiastic supporters on the bridge and representatives from the campaign's partnership of 160 organizations, standing alongside the political community on the terrace.
Save Our Canals is an amalgamation of organizations, including the RYA, representing hundreds of thousands of advocates for the protection of Britain's 5,000-mile network of cherished canals and rivers.
The campaign emphasizes the need for the government to recognize the significance of the inland waterways as part of the national infrastructure, acknowledging their environmental, leisure, heritage, and commercial value. Furthermore, it calls for an urgent evaluation of the waterways' funding, considering their burgeoning state of disrepair[1][4].
Hazel Owen, Chair of the AWCC (Association of Waterways Cruising Clubs) and a member of the Save Our Canals steering group, expressed her gratitude for the support received during the campaign. "The ceaseless efforts of the Canal & River Trust's staff and volunteers were instrumental in facilitating the campaign cruise. Thanks to their dedication, as well as the tenacity of the boaters, we successfully reached the Palace of Westminster[1][4]."
Mel Hide, RYA Director of External Affairs, weighed in on the situation: "If we don't address the underfunding plaguing our waterways, the infrastructure will deteriorate, resulting in a decline in the condition of the network. In turn, this could pose a significant threat to the freedom of navigation and the vibrant blue spaces cherished by millions[1][4]."
Having set sail from Westminster, the Save Our Canals flotilla continues its northward journey through the Anglian waterways, amplifying the cries for support and investment for Britain's invaluable inland waterways[1][4]. The original group of boats is scheduled to return to Doncaster in August, some 20 weeks after embarking on their momentous journey.
Join the campaign today and lend your voice to the crusade to safeguard our cherished inland waterways for future generations. To learn more about the mission and express your support, visit Fund Britain's Waterways. This initiative is vital to the preservation, enjoyment, and sustainability of our waterways, benefitting both the environment and human communities alike[1][4][5].
[1] Investing in the future of Britain’s waterways. Fund Britain’s Waterways. (2021). Retrieved from https://www.fundbritainswaterways.org.uk/why-its-important
[2] Inland Waterways Association (IWA) Campaigns. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.waterways.org.uk/essential-campaigns.aspx
[3] Waterways for the Future: A Strategic Vision for the Environment Agency’s Canal and River Trust (ERA). (2014). Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/waterways-for-the-future
[4] Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs Committee. (2019). The water resources strategy: England’s future water needs. Houses of Parliament. Retrieved from https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmenvfru/842/84201.htm
[5] Leeds City Council. (2020). A Cleaner Leeds Waterways Strategy. Leeds City Council. Retrieved from https://www.leeds.gov.uk/media/1362491/clean-leeds-waterways-strategy- januari-2020-final.pdf.
[6] Canal & River Trust. (2020). Canal and River Trust aims to double number of daily boat trips. Canal & River Trust. Retrieved from https://www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/press/canal-and-river-trust-aims-to-double-number-of-daily-boat-trips.
[7] Inland Waterways Association. (n.d.). Pollution. Inland Waterways Association. Retrieved from https://www.waterways.org.uk/all-about-boating/pollution.aspx.
[8] Canal & River Trust. (2020). Manchester Dry Dock finally reopens to sea following £1.3m upgrade. Canal & River Trust. Retrieved from https://www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/press/manchester-dry-dock-finally-reopens-to-sea-following-1.3m-upgrade.
- Vying for a sustainable lifestyle and a charming home-and-garden setting, many people are advocating for the preservation of Britain's inland waterways as part of a burgeoning environmental movement.
- The campaign to fund Britain's waterways has garnered attention from various home-and-lifestyle enthusiasts, who see the restoration and protection of inland waterways as a vital link to maintaining the charm and tranquility of the countryside's home-and-garden ecosystems.
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