Tony Hales re-appointed as BW chairman

Tony has held the post since 10 July 2005 and, following his re-appointment, he commented: "I am delighted to be re-appointed in my role at BW. In the last three years I have been inspired by both the people who work upon and use the waterways as much as I have been inspired by the waterways themselves.

"What is clear is that our canals and rivers are playing an ever increasing role in our lives as they are discovered by more and more people, who choose to live, work and enjoy life by the water. As the custodians, I and my BW colleagues have the challenging and fundamentally important task of looking after the network to ensure its place is safe and welcoming in tomorrow's society.

"British Waterways has an immediate and challenging business plan for the next three years and whilst there are many calls on limited resources, I am clear about our priorities and have agreed these with Government.

Grow our commercial income to spend on network maintenance

"The first priority is to ensure our existing historic waterway network is maintained in a safe and attractive way, both now and long into the future. Second, we will continue to grow our commercial income to spend on network maintenance and we'll aim to work with partners to deliver a wide range of other public benefits in areas as diverse as promoting health and wellbeing, protecting biodiversity and stimulating waterway regeneration and restoration.

"Looking into the future, the BW Board will be overseeing the development of a strategy for the waterways creating a vision for 2020, and seeking to address the issue of long-term funding. This recognises that the current situation, whilst adequate for the short to medium term, does not meet the identified likely long-term funding needs of the waterways.

"Having commissioned the previously widely publicised British Waterways status review, I will report back later this year as part of an evolving public debate about the future direction for the waterways over the next ten years and the best strategy to ensure their continued and growing success. I want to engage all stakeholders in this debate.

I will enjoy my birthday on a boat on the canal

"As the main cruising season gets underway and as the canal towpaths welcome increased numbers of visitors, we'll all be kept busy in one way or another. I hope you enjoy the summer season ahead. I am personally going to enjoy my birthday on a boat on the canal with my family over the holiday weekend."

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