British Waterways, a public corporation responsible for 2,000 miles of navigable canals and rivers in the UK, and the Environment Agency, which is responsible for over 800km of inland river, estuary and harbour navigations in England and Wales, have welcomed a decision by the UK government not to change current navigation responsibilities on Britain’s waterways.

It comes following a review of the Environment Agency’s navigation responsibilities as part of a quinquennial financial, management and policy review of the Agency.

British Waterways chairman, George Greener said: “I am delighted that the government has recognised the growing potential of all inland waterways to deliver widespread public benefits through urban and rural regeneration.”

Environment Agency chairman, Sir John Harman, said: “Our rivers and waterways are living things, and real contributors to quality of life. The environment Agency and British Waterways have a sound record of collaboration, and we will be building on that in the future to make sure we realise the benefits of our waterways fully.”