> All
>
> Those of you who were at the IWA National Festival over the August bank
> holiday weekend this year may have noticed the announcement of the Save
> Our System (SOS) campaign which took place there.
>
> IWA is alarmed at the depth of the cut in grant-in-aid for British
> Waterways next year (2010/11). It is being reduced from this year’s
> available grant of £57.448m (1.) to just £47.848m, representing an over
> 16.7% reduction. It is also expects that the Environment Agency will
> receive similar treatment. It believes that unless all boating and other
> waterway organisations stand up to this we can expect more of the same.
> We must defend our waterways system.
>
> IWA needs the help of all members of the public, boaters, waterway
> societies and trusts, to identify issues of poor maintenance and
> slipping standards - especially those affecting safety.
>
> The collection of evidence about problems caused by underfunding will
> allow IWA to build the national picture so that no-one can deny the
> effect of these cuts are having on the network.
>
> Can I ask for help from members of this list with this task by reporting
> any issues with pictures if possible to IWA on the special website
> http://www.sos2010.org.uk.
>
> Thanks
>
>
> Paul
> NB Rosery
> IWA Trustee
>
Subject: Obstructions in the canal
Hello
Last month my friend hit a cooker submerged in the Leeds and Liverpool
Canal. When he asked if BW could help him defray his expenses he was told
"The circumstances leading to this incident have now become apparent, such
that British Waterways did not know, nor had any way of knowing of the
existence of that hazard at the location in question at that time."
I am travelling on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and I have seen amongst
other things three TV sets, a computer, two arm chairs, two french doors,
shopping trollies and lots of black plastic sacks. I can only see things
that are floating so there is no way for me to tell you what is below the
surface. I suppose that you are correct in your claim that BW didn't know
that the cooker was there. BW don't appear to have looked at this canal for
some considerable time.
I have enclosed a few of many photographs that I took in one morning. I hope
that they will help BW to become aware of hazards? Perhaps you would let me
know if you would like me to take some more ?
Caroline
===========
Their reply:
Hello Caroline
Thank you for your recent e mail which was forwarded to me from our HQ in
Watford.
We are very sorry for the difficulties that you have experienced with litter
and debris in the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in the Rishton area.
British Waterways is dedicated to providing a clean, safe and enjoyable
environment for all our waterway customers. However, we face a difficult
struggle to reduce the severe amounts of litter, fly tipping and general
anti-social behaviour in some areas of the North West. As you have
highlighted, larger items can include discarded household furniture which
often requires special equipment for safe removal.
Much of the litter and obstructions are discarded by local residents who
seemingly do not see any benefit in taking responsibility for their waste.
Unfortunately, this issue is difficult to enforce and we do not have the
resources to take action against perpetrators of such activities.
Like most organisations, British Waterways has many demands on its finances
and as such all our maintenance works are addressed in priority order. We
do not have the funds available to dedicate the volumes of staff required to
entirely remove the high levels of waste deposited.
Notwithstanding the above, we take our responsibilities very seriously and
endeavour to work with local partners to progress schemes which both assist
British Waterways with the clean up operations and also tackle the problem
at source.
British Waterways has been working closely with Burnley and Pendle Councils
to introduce joint initiatives to tackle littering and fly tipping. The
councils have provided additional resource to help our staff clean the worst
affected areas. Assistance with monitoring, enforcement and pro-active
action at the ‘hot spots’ has also been agreed.
In addition to the above, a scheme to install bins and signage will be
implemented in the areas. Through this partnership approach, we are also
working towards securing a dedicated work boat which is proposed to
undertake litter and debris in the Blackburn and Burnley areas. This scheme
is subject to funding. We plan to ensure that these measures receive key
media coverage to communicate and educate those who reside in these areas.
It is our hope that such positive, pro-active approaches will be adopted by
many of the local authorities whose areas include our waterways. British
Waterways is in discussions with many of the local councils along the Leeds
& Liverpool Canal, including Blackburn and Chorley. We feel confident that
a real impact can be made if partnership schemes can be agreed and
implemented throughout the North West.
In addition to the above, we try to engage the community to appreciate the
benefits of having a canal near to their home, including ongoing education
programmes for schools. Nationally we are keen to work closer with the
volunteers who have a genuine regard for the areas in which they live and
want to actively seek change. We have had some success with volunteer
groups dedicating their time to undertaking light maintenance works along
the waterways. We have also engaged the probation service who have
organised teams to attend British Waterways volunteer working parties. This
support has been and will continue to be essential for the sustainability of
our waterways and we are keen to encourage such involvement.
British Waterways is making every effort to progress schemes to address the
wider social issues. We feel strongly that increased clean up operations
alone is not a sustainable solution to the problem. Simply removing all
waste that is deposited is labour intensive, a strain on our resources and
sends the wrong message to those who regularly dispose of waste onto our
property.
Through raising awareness, education, regeneration and where necessary
enforcement, we feel that the problem could be significantly reduced.
However, such steps must be taken using the joint resources of local
agencies and authorities and local community groups.
We do firmly believe that we are doing all that we can to address the issues
and we will be using all of your feedback as an example of the issues that
our staff are facing on a regular basis. Your photographs have also been
forwarded on to the local Supervisor and we welcome any more that you may
have regarding litter and obstructions in the canal.
Kind regards
Denise Bradshaw
British Waterways
North West
Waterside House
Waterside Drive
Wigan
WN3 5AZ
Direct Line :01942 405793
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