BRITISH WATERWAYS
WITHDRAWS FROM THE
COTSWOLD CANALS PARTNERSHIP
Following the surprise British Waterways' announcement
on Monday 4th February 2008 (see British
Waterways Press Release), the Cotswold
Canals Trust issued the following Press Release
on Tuesday 5th February 2008:
Canals restoration still going
ahead...
Despite the unexpected and sudden withdrawal of
British Waterways from the partnership responsible
for restoring the canals link from Saul to the
Thames, the Cotswold Canals Trust, along with other
key partners, is determined that work carries on.
"This is far from being a show-stopper," says
Liz Payne, chairman of the Trust, "only a
major hiccup. And our work will go on unabated."
Monday's announcement by British Waterways was
made without prior notice to the Cotswold Canals
Partnership, and prompted some immediate examination
of the funding issues involved. "There was
some confusion in the minds of the public that
linked this latest issue (BW's withdrawal) with
the unsuccessful bid for a second round of Big
Lottery funds," said Ken Burgin, the Trust's
newly-appointed chief executive. "But that
was for the restoration of an entirely different
section of the canal."
British Waterways' decision is likely to mean
a shortfall of around £4.5million from the
overall identified funding of £35million
(for Phase 1a), after all of the figures have been
worked through. "That's less than 13 per cent,
and we shall be looking for new partners, as well
as discussing with our present partners the way
forward from here," said Liz Payne. "We
mustn't ignore the fact that British Waterways'
decision was a result of their own funding crisis
over the Monmouth and Brecon canal repairs. Progress
on the Cotswold canals has been much slower than
originally expected and the Trust hopes that the
inevitable changes resulting from BW's withdrawal
will mean the restoration making more rapid progress."
Meanwhile David Drew, Stroud's MP, wants an urgent
meeting with the Minister responsible for waterways,
and is seeking to reconvene the Environment, Food
and Rural Affairs committee that investigated British
Waterways' funding. The remaining members of the
Cotswold Canals Partnership will be meeting urgently
to plan their next steps.
ENDS |
