Your Council discussed and agreed that we would offer our support to BW for their proposals to move to the 3rd sector.

BW have been working on this all through 2009, and an outline of the possibilities has been presented in many forums and user groups during the year.  Your Chairman has attended and contributed to all the main user events held to review 2020, and there have been opportunities to make suggestions, discuss the merits, risks and alternatives. There is still much detail  to conclude, not least the manner and extent to which user groups such as NABO can get involved in the new body.

We understand that the BW Board will now formally consider this proposal in March and we have written to BW to emphasise the key issues. BW have acknowledged our input and Robin Evans commented

"Thank you very much for your letter and particularly for your support for the proposed move to the third sector. I agree entirely with all that you say and NABO's backing is very welcome. It is also important as it is now clear that the vast majority of those who care most about our waterways support the proposal. I look forward to working with you and your colleagues to achieve our joint ambition for a more secure network, governed and managed by those who care most about them."

Click here to read the NABO letter.