Why restore inland waterways?

Abstract

Most of the inland waterways of England and Wales were constructed in the late eighteenth century for the carriage of freight; they are now mainly used for amenity and recreational purposes. This paper describes the campaign of the Inland Waterways Association to retain the waterways threatened with closure and to promote the restoration of those that were derelict. Although the income generated from waterways covers only about half the operational and maintenance costs, substantial economic benefits to the adjacent communities justify their restoration. The paper discusses the restoration process and the changing sources of funding. With the advent of The Waterways Trust and British Waterways' new freedom to engage in restoration work, the pace of waterway restoration has quickened. Whether that pace will be maintained now depends largely on the availability of funding.