British Waterways looks to charity and national trust status

Those booking canal boat holidays in the UK in future might see the country's waterways network taken out of state control.

British Waterways thinks it has the support of environment secretary Caroline Spelman to become a new national trust, taking on charity status and finding new sources of income, the Financial Times reports.

'We believe this new model of ownership will provide greater certainty and flexibility over funding and give communities a real role in the running of local canals and rivers,' Tony Hales, chairman of British Waterways, told the newspaper.

However, the plan is expected to run into opposition from the Treasury, which wants the body to sell some of its land bank in order to raise funds.

British Waterways last month announced that it was seeking individuals to serve as volunteer board members on a new Waterway Partnership Board that will help to govern the Kennet & Avon canal.  ADNFCR-2853-ID-800051582-ADNFCR

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