Charitable Trust Plans

During 2009 British Waterways held a national debate with the public, stakeholders, staff and customers about the future of the country's waterways and their role in modern Britain.

British Waterways, the last remaining part of the British Transport Commission still in public ownership, is proposing that its 200 year old waterway network is moved out of direct state control and into a new 'third sector' or trust organisation.

In the last decade the waterways have experienced a remarkable renaissance, and are busier, bigger and in a better condition than for generations. However, work commissioned by British Waterways from the accounting firm KPMG, showed that the waterways are under-funded each year and suggested that a change of status could improve the organisation’s ability to raise new income.

A gradual move to become a civil society organisation would not only help with this but would also allow more community involvement in the running of the waterways, and provide the right framework for another 200 years of success.

If you would like to learn more please watch our short film and read our publication, 'A Vision for the Future of Our Canals and Rivers'.