No EA navigations for CaRT

THIS morning (3rd July) Defra  announced the postponement of the project for the transfer of the Environment Agency river navigations to the Canal & River Trust.

This is a disappointment to the people at CaRT, with Chairman Tony Hales responding:

"This is disappointing news and a missed opportunity.  In less than a year, the transfer of British Waterways to the voluntary sector has begun to revolutionise the way that our canals and rivers are cared for, opening up improved engagement and new opportunities for volunteering and fundraising.  There is no reason that we could not have seen the same benefits on the Environment Agency's navigations.

"We have very much enjoyed working with the team at the Environment Agency, and look forward to this continuing as we share best practice and knowledge in the future.  We remain ready to look at these plans when the Government is next able to proceed."

Decision in February 2011

It was in a Written Ministerial Statement to Parliament on the 28th February, 2011, that Minister for Inland Waterways, Richard Benyon, announced that the Government has decided the Environment Agency's navigations (waterways) should transfer to a new waterways charity, similar to the National Trust.

However, it is well known that the Environmental Agency was not in favour of CaRT taking over its navigations, though it has not yet issued a statement on the decision of its postponement.