Restoring the inland waterways

Interview on 9 January 2006

But back in the days when the canals were the backbone of the transport industry, countless more navigations strode up and down the country – many of which fell into disuse in the last century.

A movement to restore these half-forgotten canals is now well underway, with great success stories such as the re-opening of the Huddersfield Narrow in 2001. But what are the issues surrounding restoration – and just how easy is it to bring a derelict canal back to life? We caught up with Derek Cochrane, British Waterways regeneration director, to find out more.

Q. What is the easiest part, and what are the challenges, of any restoration project?

A. Funnily enough, often the easiest part of any restoration process is the actual construction of the canal. There are two typical challenges in any given restoration process. The first is raising the required money from half a dozen sources and then making sure it all arrives at the right time. The second is negotiating with landowners.

It is usual for the path of the restored canal to pass through land owned by different people – therefore the canal restorers must negotiate with and inspire several individual landowners before construction can begin. Fortunately, more and more people recognise the waterways as focal points of regeneration, capable of increasing the value of the land they cross. Our job is to broadcast the importance of restoring the waterways, to make people aware that animating the waterways can boost local regeneration.

Q. How important is the involvement of other agencies?

A. All individual restoration schemes are a small part of a wider regeneration agenda, and we hope that this wider agenda covers enough ground to appeal to several different groups. The involvement and interest of other agencies is vital as British Waterways do not have the funds to restore a canal on their own.

Other agencies have their own priorities and their own desired outputs from a restoration scheme. For example, the Heritage Lottery Fund is interested in preserving waterside heritage. Or, to secure funding from a Regional Development Agency, there must be prospects for job creation and benefits for the Healthy Living Agenda. We must look at improving towpaths for walkers and cyclists and work with Sustrans, ramblers, anglers and environmental groups, to name but a few.

Summing up, an important part of the restoration process is looking at issues which are important to a wider audience. That way, we have a better chance of raising the money required for the restoration to go ahead.

Q. What’s on the agenda at the moment?

A. Lots of schemes – some big, some small. Schemes attracting national interest at the moment are the Cotswold Canals and Liverpool Link projects. These are a big focus for us at present because they are at a crucial stage of their development.

Other applications have been made in partnership with the Waterways Trust and English Nature, and we have also put together an application with a number of organisations concerned with our countryside, such as the National Trust, for a rural restoration programme called Reservoirs and Reserves.

But there are always lots of projects moving forward at any one time. For example, in the last few weeks we have applied for £35 million funding from the Big Lottery Fund for the Grand Canal Project.

Q. What is the Grand Canal Project?

A. The Grand Canal Project is about opening up the inland waterways to everyone. There are lots of deprived areas within three miles of a waterway and we are looking at what we can do to alleviate some of the problems we currently experience in those areas. For example, improving security and providing better facilities for leisure, recreation and education - which will hopefully help us to change attitudes and tackle inappropriate behaviour. If communities better appreciate the inland waterways, this will have advantages for existing as well as new users. This is a very valuable project which will definitely go ahead at some stage, even if the current lottery bid is not successful.

Q. What about the delays suffered by Bedford & Milton Keynes?

A. Every single restoration scheme suffers a set-back at some stage. There is always some obstacle which appears to prevent any given scheme from going ahead and the important thing is to work with all agencies involved to find solutions. The question is not whether a restoration project will go ahead, but when it will go ahead. Never say never! It is fantastic to see that the local authorities and societies are still enthusiastic about the Bedford and Milton Keynes Link. This enthusiasm can provide the impetus to influence and change the funding regime – and it’s all about funding.

Q. So what are British Waterways’ ultimate goals in respect of restoration?

A. The British Waterways’ Vision Statement states that we want to expand the waterway network. Therefore, restoration schemes which expand the network are obviously important to us. These schemes are of course dependent on navigation, boats are what create animation on and draw visitors to the waterways. But we don’t believe that restoration is only ever about the canal – or that widening the use of a canal can be detrimental to boaters. Restoration is equally about making use of the canal corridor.

On top of that, no scheme is ever produced by British Waterways alone. Working in partnership is key to making schemes happen, to raising more money and to increasing visitor numbers. With that in mind, we are looking at ways to attract more active visitors along the waterways, ie walkers, cyclists and anglers.

The waterways are a national resource and there for all. This is a difficult management task but it yields huge rewards.

Q. So what leads to a successful restoration scheme?

A. Any restoration scheme must contain a certain number of elements in order to be successful. Firstly, we must start with a valid concept or vision, then a detailed plan needs to be drawn up for the scheme. Thirdly, and crucially we must find ways of raising funds and then land negotiations begin for us to obtain the necessary routes. Only then can design and construction begin. Finally, we must measure the outputs of the restored canal. These skill-sets are all available within British Waterways although on occasion we do bring in consultants.

Q. What about volunteers? Can interested individuals get involved?

A. Yes of course. We are always looking at ways to expand the volunteer programme and all of our restoration applications require demonstrable volunteer and community involvement. This is something that must be gone about in the right way – there are health and safety issues etc. But I feel it is important to obtain the views of everyone who has an interest in any restoration scheme.

It is also a Government priority to expand volunteer projects and British Waterways are well placed to manage this, and to develop new ways of engaging directly with volunteers. I passionately believe that the voluntary sector has already had the most major affect on the network we now manage, and that the dedicated involvement of volunteers has the potential to move our projects forwards.

Q. Any final words?

A. To re-emphasise, successful restoration is about working in partnership. We must be able to see visible links between the land required, volunteer involvement, regeneration, environmental issues and the interests of active user groups. Then we must do all we can to develop the potential of these links and push the restoration project forward.

Interview on 9 January 2006

Interested in finding out more about restoration work on the inland waterways?

Get an update on the restoration of the Ashby Canal

Get an update on the restoration of the Cotswold Canals

Get an update on the restoration of the Droitwich Canals

Get an update on the restoration of the Grantham Canal

Get an update on the restoration of the Montgomery Canal

Get an update on the restoration of the Wilts & Berks Canal