Flood defences to go private?

Published: Wednesday, 28 July 2010

WITH the waterways minister again stating BW and the EA waterways be included together in a 'third sector', there is a worry about flood defences which could affect navigation.

The cost of flood defences in this country is estimated at over £300 millions, and the Treasury is looking at way of saving cash, with one solution being to put it into the hands of the private sector.

However, many of these include navigation, as on the Severn, Thames, etc., that are presently worked by lock keepers, either under the employ of BW or the EA, which include the locks and weirs controlling navigation onto tidal rivers.

If private companies take over and operate these defences, will it mean that payment will be raised from boaters requiring access?  Or will once again that old problem of local councils being asked to pay, raise its ugly head?