Condition of waterways improve year on year!

THE Canal & River Trust has published its Annual Report & Accounts including statements that boaters will find difficult to believe.

Just over a week ago we recorded that the trust had 12 stoppages to its waterways, and this week the trust stated that it's three major northern waterways were closed, yet now reports that 'the overall condition of the Trust’s waterways continued to improve year-on-year with core spending on waterway infrastructure, maintenance and repairs'!

Volunteering success

The report gives great credance to its volunteering success, telling that 'in particular it has been a record year for volunteering on the waterways with active volunteers now significantly exceeding the number of employees as they help the trust to deliver its charitable objectives as a Trust for the waterways and wellbeing with a remarkable 96% satisfaction rate', with it's Chief Executive Richard Parry proclaiming:

“We have seen another strong year as the trust works towards its vision of transforming places and enriching lives. Our continued growth in volunteering complements and enhances the vital work that our experienced and skilled colleagues deliver.

“Our work across the network has been underpinned by an increase in the number of boats together with strong investment and income performance which now sees the Trust generate more than £150 million each year in addition to our £50m Government grant. This means we can continue the underlying increase in spend on the care and repair of our waterways.”

As Victor Swift would comment—make of that what you will...