The Inland Waterways Association has been calling on all PPCs to support their five point partnership, and has been listing those who do on their website. I’ve supported the partnership, the five points of which are shown below. The sections in bold are the commitments the IWA want PPCs to make.

1. Protect our Heritage Many of Britain’s canals and rivers were built at the height of the industrial revolution and are home to over 2,700 listed structures, 50 scheduled ancient monuments and five UNESCO world heritage sites. It is vital that planning and development proposals properly take account and protect this unique heritage. We ask that future Members of Parliament ensure that future planning legislation takes account and protects the unique heritage of the waterways.

2. Build a Local Relationship with Constituency Waterways Groups There are many voluntary groups whose members use and promote the waterways for the benefit of the wider community including restoration groups, boat clubs, and IWA local branches. We ask future Members of Parliament to support local waterways groups in their constituency.

3. Work with IWA in Parliament – Join the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Waterways At a National level IWA ensures our waterways have a strong voice in Parliament. We speak to Government and opposition parties and deliver briefings on matters relevant to our cause. The All Party Parliamentary Group for the Waterways brings together MPs and Lords to scrutinise Government, Canal & River Trust, Environment Agency and other bodies. We ask that future Members of Parliament join the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Waterways and take an active role in the proceedings of the Group.

4. Support the Transfer of Navigations Currently Managed by Environment Agency to Canal & River Trust. We welcome the 15 year funding (from 2012) for Canal & River Trust. IWA wants to see the Government deliver its stated commitment to transfer Environment Agency (EA) navigations into Canal & River Trust, this will help put the EA’s more than 600 miles of navigable waterways onto a sustainable funding basis. In its 2014 report, the All Party Parliamentary Group on Waterways called for this process to begin in the next Parliament. We ask that future Members of Parliament press the Government of the day for early implementation of the transfer of EA’s navigable waters to Canal & River Trust.

5. Support Affordable New Off Line Moorings In some areas of the country leisure and residential moorings are in short supply and the costs are beyond the reach of many people. IWA wants to see an increase in the number of affordable off line moorings to meet this need. We ask that future Members of Parliament encourage the Government to look at new ways to promote affordable moorings.