The increased funding is for British Waterways, the initiative launched in June aimed at unlocking the potential of the waterways, whilst conserving and enhancing their biodiversity. The body is responsible for over half of the 5,000km of navigable waterways in England and Wales, and 36% of managed unnavigable waterways.
“This new funding demonstrates our commitment to British Waterways continuing success,” said Lord Whitty. “I especially support their efforts to tackle the substantial maintenance backlog – an unfortunate result of decades of under-investment. I expect that the money we are providing today will help British Waterways to cut this backlog even further.”
British Waterways (Scotland) will be funded separately from 2001/2002.