Transport Act 1968 Celebrations
The Transport Act 1968 (1968 c.73) was an act of the parliament of the United Kingdom. The main provisions made changes to the structure of nationally owned bus companies, created passenger transport authorities and executives to take over public transport in large conurbations. There was a recent “do” at the Houses of Parliament to celebrate its 40th Anniversary.
As far as the waterways were concerned The Act made changes to the use of facilities controlled by the state-owned British Waterways. Reflecting the decline in the use of canals and rivers for freight distribution, waterways were divided into three categories:
• Commercial Waterways
• Cruising Waterways
• Remainder Waterways
The Act recognised the value of the waterway network for leisure use, and set up the Inland Waterways Amenity Advisory Council (now known as IWAC) to give advice to both government and British Waterways on all matters concerned with the use of the network for recreation.
Since then so much has happened and British Waterways supported by hundreds of volunteers have opened up parts of the disused canal network and in fact canals have become a really enjoyable place to be.
During the celebrations the new Minister Huw Irranca-Davies MP (Ogmore – Wales -Minister for the Natural and Marine Environment, Wildlife and Rural Affairs).spoke at length about the recognition of the value of the waterways to health and social benefit as well as urban and rural regeneration. He stated that the waterways can bring different parts of the community together and are natural places for education/sporting and leisure activities..
He also assured us that the consultation on the new Waterways for Tomorrow would be extensive… watch out for more information.
12/08/08 Canoeists put the waterway to the test
NO this is not the main River Thames, it is actually part of the hidden Maidenhead Waterway where it runs southwards just to the side of Braywick Park. If only people knew it was there and what a wasted asset this is…!
News story here
There were 16 independent canoeists there on the day, aged from 6 upwards – including Shaun Baker of the Canoe England and Longridge, Ollie Harding also from Longridge and Fran Faulkner of Windsor Canoe Club.
The group unquestionably proved, the channel from Green Lane to The Thames at Bray Marina is in practice already navigable for small boats. With a bit of branch cutting back of fallen trees, all the boats that set out for Bray got through without needing to be lifted out of the water. It is also a quite beautiful stretch of water in places, with lots of wildlife, yet the waterway here is almost completely hidden and rarely seen by anyone due to the lack of public footpaths along most of the route.
Shaun Baker with the group who proved the waterway is suitable for canoes/kayaks.