Inland waterways
Britain's inland waterways are extremely diverse and comprise a wide variety of natural and artificial watercourses and other waters.
Most of the system is non-tidal and consists of canals, and rivers which have been made navigable. There are some tidal waterways - mainly naturally navigable rivers and their estuaries.
At present there are approximately 5100 kms of fully navigable inland waters in England and Wales, about 450 kms of which are tidal.
The role of most non-tidal waterways has changed radically over the last 30 years. Having once been used mostly for freight transport, these waterways are now used chiefly for leisure and amenity. They are an important part of the country's heritage and serve a wide variety of other uses ranging from land drainage to acting as a catalyst for regeneration.
Who is responsible for inland waterways?
This map shows who is responsible for the management of the inland waterways:
- Waterways map (PDF on Association of Inland Navigation Authorities website)
What are the Government's policies for inland waterways?
The Government's policies for the inland waterways of England and Wales are set out in Waterways for Tomorrow (PDF 246KB) published in June 2000.
The Government's aim is to promote the waterways, encouraging a modern, integrated and sustainable approach to their use. This involves conserving the waterways, while at the same time maximising the opportunities they offer for leisure and recreation, urban and rural regeneration, the environment, and for freight transport.
What we do
Environment Agency and Waterways Division has an over-arching responsibility for the inland waterways of England and Wales and is specifically responsible for navigation issues. The Scottish Executive is responsible for waterways in Scotland.
One of our main roles is to sponsor British Waterways, a task shared with the Scottish Executive. Another important role is to oversee the navigation functions of the Environment Agency. We also appoint members to the Inland Waterways Advisory Council and offer advice and support to all bodies involved with inland waterways.
Some aspects of the waterways fall to other Government Departments:
- Transport, freight and waterways administered by port/harbour authorities - Department for Transport
- Planning and regeneration - Department for Communities and Local Government
- Heritage, tourism and sport - Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Publications
- Policy review of British Waterways: report - March 2005 (PDF 200 KB)
This report followed a 2004 consultation on a review of British Waterways - Waterways for Tomorrow (PDF 246KB)
- Framework Document for British Waterways (PDF 26KB)
- Planning a Future for the Inland Waterways: A Good Practice Guide (PDF, IWAC website)
- Freight Study Group Report (PDF 419 KB) and Government Response (PDF 52KB) - a report examining the scope for increasing freight traffic on the inland waterways of England and Wales, together with the Government's Response
Links
Inland waterways bodies
- British Waterways
- Environment Agency
- Inland Waterways Advisory Council (IWAC)
- Association of Inland Navigation Authorities (AINA)
See also
Contact
Inland waterways
Zone 2D
Ergon House
Horseferry Road
London SW1P 2AL
Telephone: 020 7238 4807
Fax: 020 7238 4877
E-mail: iwb@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Page last modified: 22 October 2008