Policy Title: Canals in Scotland - policy and sponsorship function for British Waterways (BW) in Scotland.
Department: DIRECTOR-GENERAL ECONOMY and Chief Economic Adviser
Group: Transport Directorate
Division: Aviation, Ports, Freight and Canals
Branch: TD A,P, FandC Freight Policy and Inland Waterways
| Aims of the Policy |
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| What is the purpose of the policy (or the changes made to the policy)? | British Waterways (BW) is a cross border public corporation which runs its affairs on a commercial basis consistent with its statutory powers and its objectives agreed by government. It promotes the use of its waterways for leisure, recreation, tourism, regeneration and transport while also conserving the waterways' natural and built heritage. BW is responsible for the operation of Scotland’s canal network in Scotland. Scotland’s 137 mile canal network comprises: Caledonian, Crinan, Forth & Clyde, Union and Monklands (the latter is largely non – navigable). These canals carry Scheduled Ancient Monument status.
Scottish Government (SG) provides deficit grant to BW towards the maintenance and development of Scotland’s canals. SG undertakes the sponsorship function for BW in Scotland. Defra perform similar functions for the canals in England and Wales. The Scottish operational unit of British Waterways is known as British Waterways Scotland (BWS).
In 2002, SG published a canal policy document “Scotland’s Canals: as asset for the future” describing the contribution it would like the canals to make to Scotland. This provides a framework for BW to work towards. This policy document is under review.
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| Who is affected by the policy or who is intended to benefit from the proposed policy and how? | a) BW, as the initial recipient of the funding benefits directly from the receipt of grant in aid, and is impacted by SG’s performance of their sponsorship function.
b) This grant in aid and the policy set indirectly affect BW’s end customers, who can be described as follows:
• Boaters - The canals were originally built for transport, and are classified in legislation (Transport Act 1968) into 3 types: commercial waterways (principally available for the carriage of freight), cruising waterways (principally available for the cruising, fishing and other recreation) or remainder waterways. BW are required to maintain the canals to suitable standards depending on its classification. The canals therefore benefit water-based users, both locals and overseas visitors.
The Caledonian Canal generates 14% of tourism income in the local area; the Crinan Canal is an important maritime link between the Clyde estuary and the cruising waters of the West Highlands.
• Towpath/destination users – There are various land based users of the canals and their facilities (which includes the Falkirk Wheel), including walkers, cyclists, fishermen, tourists etc. These consist of local residents, visitors from elsewhere in Britain, and overseas visitors. There is growing towpath usage with 17.6m visits in the year to Dec 2007. The Access Code now applies.
The iconic Falkirk Wheel is one of Scotland’s top free visitor destinations and has attracted more than 2.1m visitors to the Falkirk Wheel Visitor Centre since April 2003.
• Local communities - Our canals pass through communities, both large and small, and have a part to play in regeneration of local communities. Projections show that the restoration of the Lowland canals has the potential to generate £1.5 billion of investment and over 12,500 jobs by 2015.
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| How has the policy been, or will be put into practice, and who is or will be responsible for delivering it? | Since devolution, SG has made a grant made to BW under the Transport Act 1968 (S43). Grant levels are determined through the Scottish Spending Review and Scottish Budget process. The SG sponsorship team is responsible for ensuring payment of the grant and for effective performance of sponsorship functions.
Scottish Government is responsible for setting the overall canal policy for Scotland, with BW responsible for its operational delivery.
BW are responsible for ensuring that they comply with all relevant legislation, both as regards their own staff and in relation to the service they provide to their customers. This EQIA does not cover that aspect as BW will be preparing an EQIA for their organisation. We have, however, seen evidence in extracts of the BW Employee Handbook that BW fully supports the principle of equal opportunities and that they oppose all forms of unlawful or unjust discrimination on the grounds of: gender, marital status or sexuality; colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin; disability; age; social background; or religious belief.
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| How does the policy fit into the Scottish Executive's wider or related policy initiatives? | The 2002 canal policy document indicated a belief that our canals are an asset that, if used wisely, can enhance the future quality of life in Scotland. This aim could be achieved by increasing awareness and appreciation of the canal network and recognising the role canals can play in delivering wider public policy objectives.
SG wish to see a vibrant canal network and to encourage the full and sustainable development of our canals for the benefit of the widest possible range of people is consistent with the SG’s Purpose, and its strategic objectives, as well as with equality objectives.
The policy document encourages partnership working with other public bodies and through this assists in the achievement of national outcomes and Single Outcome Agreements.
BW and the canals make a contribution to almost all of SG’s strategic objectives.
a) Wealthier and fairer - through regeneration activity and tourism.
b) Healthier - activities such as rowing, cycling, jogging and walking;
c) Safer and stronger - investment in the canals has led to local communities gaining pride in “their” canal, leading to increased use, improved safety and leisure and community activity based around the canal.
d) Greener – by providing a “green corridor”, with protection and cultivation of aquatic and wildlife habitat along the canal.
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| Have the resources for the policy been allocated? | Yes |
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