A government consultation to widen interest and participation in waterways across England and Wales has been launched.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is behind Waterways for everyone, an updated strategy to support the management and development of inland waterways and enhance public benefits.
The strategy sets out how rivers and canals and their surroundings can contribute to a wide range of public benefits including creating space for recreation and healthy activity, acting as a catalyst for regeneration and encouraging green transport and jobs.
Waterways for everyone follows and updates Waterways for tomorrow, which was published in 2000 and represented the first comprehensive government statement on the inland waterways for 30 years.
Defra is inviting input from members of the public, waterway authorities, non-governmental organisations, local authorities and communities, regional development agencies, associated businesses and user groups.
Responses must be emailed no later than 26 March to: LINK to website
So come on then ... They asked for opinions I'm sure there are a few of you out there ready and willing to tell them what you think :p