Sign up now to protect our canals

You may have seen the BBC’s Politics Show broadcast last month, in which plans were discussed for the potential sell-off of British Waterways property to help balance the Government’s books. BW relies upon the revenue it generates from its property portfolio to maintain our canals and, with an existing funding shortfall to manage, any further reduction in funding is likely to have a profound affect on our waterways.

The reaction to the story from the inland sector has been strong and the Inland Waterways Association has created a Downing Street petition calling on the Government to reconsider its plans. In a recent Parliamentary debate, Linda Waltho MP defended the interests of the sector by referencing the BMF and the petition:

“The British Marine Federation estimates that some 40 per cent of its member companies have a direct business interest, including hire fleet companies, marina operators and narrow boat builders, all of which, of course, provide many jobs. Imagine, then, the confusion, fear and anger of so many people when they heard that this fantastic network is threatened once again with break-up, destruction and possible sell-off. Such feelings were so strong that within days, a petition of 9,000 names appeared on the Downing Street website.”

That petition has now reached well over 16,000 signatures and continues to grow. If you care about the future of our unique canal system; whether you earn a living from it, use it for leisure purposes or simply value its key role in the UK’s history, please take the time to add your name to the petition.

To sign-up please visit: http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/protectourcanals/