Money for Canal & River Trust

THE Waterway Minister, Richard Benyon has confirmed that Canal & River Trust has received a commitment from the Government of £39 millions from 2012/13 to April 2022.

It was in answer to questions from boater Frank Hurst that Richard Benyon wrote that....the Government has provided a commitment to £39m per annum from 2012/13 to April 2022. The government will give the new charity the best start it can afford, has already agreed to transfer a property portfolio (valued at about £460millions) and to give the Canal & River Trust a long term funding agreement.

Subject to negotiation

However he also stated that terms and conditions of the funding agreement are currently subject to negotiation, so states he....is unable to indicate the final terms of Government funding for the charity.

Frank complained to his local MP, Dave Watts, expressing his concerns regarding the changeover to the new Canal & River Trust charity for the waterways, with Frank telling us that to his credit he wrote to the government minister Richard Benyon outlining his concerns.

Subsequent letter

It was the subsequent letter from Richard Benyon, where the amount of cash was disclosed together with the sum of British Waterways' property portfolio.

Of his request, Frank explains:

The minister neglected to address my specific point on the new Canal & River Trust and compliance with the Freedom of Information act. I let you all draw your own conclusions from this."

Richard Benyon stated....the Government remains committed to a sustainable future for our inland waterways.