On Tue, 28 Nov 2006 23:11:10 +0000, Martin Clark <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> >You think the whole of BW should be transferred to the Scottish Office? maybe you mean The Scottish Executive (:-) Speaking of which - this may be news to many: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2004/10/07141121 A major waterways investment is to provide a safe and secure infrastructure that will help revitalise Scotland's canal culture. Transport Minister Nicol Stephen today announced core funding of £31.2 million over three years, representing a significant increase of £6.8 million over three years, compared to the previous three year period. Speaking at British Waterways Scotland's annual meeting, Mr Stephen said that increased investment in British Waterways from the Scottish Budget is expected to deliver improvements to revitalise Scotland's canals and allow more people to explore our outstanding countryside. Mr Stephen said: "British Waterways Scotland is transforming our country's canals. I have seen first-hand the considerable improvements which have been made in recent years: from the completion of the Millennium Link and the Falkirk Wheel in the Lowlands Canals, to the amazing restoration work on the Caledonian Canal. "This increased funding from the Scottish Budget will allow British Waterways to continue with these improvements, making our canals lively and attractive places to be enjoyed by people from home and abroad. "We want to create more opportunities for people to enjoy living by and travelling on Scotland's canals. Continuing improvements will help not only boaters, but also cyclists, anglers and the many visitors who enjoy our canals. Investment in the canal network also boosts the local economy and tourism." Commenting on the formation of the Scottish Canals Development Group which met for the first time last month, the Minister added: "Good partnership working is the key to the successful development of our canals. The Scottish Canals Development Group brings together all those who can contribute to - and gain from - transforming Scotland's canals. This Group will work to ensure the significant investment in our canals deliver real benefits for the people of Scotland, the canal communities and the Scottish economy." Jim Stirling, Director of British Waterways Scotland, said: "Following the physical transformation of Scotland's canals over the past few years the effort now is to ensure that the vision contained in the Scottish Executive's far reaching policy document Scotland's Canals - An asset for the future, is transformed into real benefits for the people of Scotland. "The Scottish Canals Development Group will help realise this vision and I am excited by the prospect of working with all our partners to support the sustainable development and regeneration of our canals and their surrounding areas." The increased funding was announced as part of the Scottish Budget on September 29, 2004. The grant funding to British Waterways is £31.2 million over three years, made up of £8.9 million in 2005-06, £10.9 million in 2006-07 and £11.4 million in 2007-08. This figure compares with previous core funding from spending review 2002, made up of £7.1 million in 2002-03, £8.4 million in 2003-04 and £8.9 million in 2004-05. The Scottish Canals Development Group met for the first time last month and includes representatives from the SE, BWS, Local Authorities, Scottish Inland Waterways Association, Highlands and Islands Enterprise Scottish Enterprise, IWAAC, VisitScotland, SEPA, Historic Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage. British Waterways (BW) is a cross border public corporation sponsored jointly by the Scottish Executive and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). In Scotland, BW manage five canals. These are: the Caledonian; the Crinan; the Forth and Clyde; the Union; and Monklands canals.
