Advisory council to go

A CONSULTATION has been launched this week on the  proposal to abolish the Inland Waterways Advisory Council.

It was in July that narrowboatworld announced there were plans afoot to abolish the council that was originally set-up in 2007 to advise the government, navigation authorities and other interested parties on the use and development of inland waterways.

Rarely acted upon

The Inland Waterways Advisory Council was seen by many as a waste of money, costing some £200,000 a year to issue various papers, that were mostly ignored.

As part of the government's strategy, this will be a further saving, and it is believed it will no longer be necessary when British Waterways becomes a charity.

Consultation

However, although the preferred option is to abolish the Inland Waterways Advisory Council, ministers wish to consult with anyone having an interest in the council's future, so has launched the  consultation, seeking comments from any interested party.  This will last for 12 weeks, closing on the 14th November.

For more information:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/consult/2011/08/22/waterways-advisory/