Back
Waterways charity awarded £1 billion in government funds
Published:
01 February 2012
The Canals and Rivers Charity is in line to receive £1 billion in funding from the government.
It was set up as a replacement for British Waterways to manage the nation's rivers and canals.
The charity's responsibility is to make these areas more appealing and accessible to the British public.
Environment minister Richard Benyon said: "The Canal & River Trust will be a national trust for the waterways, maintaining and restoring 2,000 miles of heritage sites, wildlife habitats and open spaces so that we can all enjoy them for generations to come."
It is positive news for walking enthusiasts all over the UK, as walkers are among the biggest group of people to use the waterways.
British walking group The Ramblers welcomed the funding decision.
Ramblers senior policy officer Kate Conto said: "With millions of people each year using our canals and rivers it is clear that a walk besides Britain’s waterways is an important part of our cultural heritage."