{"id":3684,"date":"2012-02-03T16:06:43","date_gmt":"2012-02-03T16:06:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ihbconline.co.uk\/newsachive\/?p=3684"},"modified":"2012-02-03T16:40:48","modified_gmt":"2012-02-03T16:40:48","slug":"over-1billion-for-canal-river-trust","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsblogs.ihbc.org.uk\/?p=3684","title":{"rendered":"Over \u00a31billion for Canal & River Trust"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Unprecedented funding, of more than one billion pounds, for a new charity paves the way for the launch of the new Canal & River Trust later this year \u2013 a new \u2018national trust for the waterways\u2019 that will harness the support of thousands of supporters and volunteers to help look after the canals and rivers in England and Wales for the benefit of future generations.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Environment Minister Richard Benyon said: \u2018The Canal & River Trust will be a national trust for the waterways, maintaining and restoring 2,000 miles of heritage sites, wildlife habitats and open spaces so that we can all enjoy them for generations to come. Bringing our waterways into the Big Society puts decision-making into the hands of the thousands of people who cherish the waterways near their homes. Our \u00a31 billion investment will get this new charity off to the strongest start possible, and let local communities and volunteers shape the future of our world-famous waterways.\u2019<\/p>\n

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Tony Hales, the chairman of the Trustees of the Canal & River Trust said: \u2018We congratulate the minister on this settlement which creates a bedrock on which to build the future prosperity of our precious waterways. In the 20th century the network was saved from destruction by committed waterway campaigners, volunteers and staff. In the last decade alone British Waterways has made an enormous contribution to securing the network\u2019s future. In the 21st century they will be held in trust for the nation as a national treasure and a haven for people and wildlife.\u00a0 With greater certainty of funding than ever before, we now have the opportunity to attract new investment and new supporters and give a greater role to the millions of people who live alongside and on the waterways.\u2019<\/p>\n

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In order to help the Canal & River Trust get off to the best possible start, Defra has committed a property endowment worth \u00a3460 million and funding of \u00a3800 million over the next 15 years to help put the nation\u2019s historic network on a firm footing for the future. In addition the new Trust will give local communities and stakeholders a greater role in caring for their waterways.<\/p>\n

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The funding deal has the following components:<\/p>\n