§ Lord Moynihanasked Her Majesty's Government:
What percentage of the United Kingdom's waterways are currently classified as being in a "poor" condition; how much money is required to bring them up to modern standards; and what steps they are taking in this regard. [HL3709]
§ Lord WhittyThe Environment Agency uses the term "poor" to describe navigation assets on its waterways which present health and safety risks. It estimates that 43 per cent of the assets on the non-tidal Thames, 32 per cent of the assets on its Anglian waterways and 47 per cent of the assets on the waterways in its Southern Region fall into this category. The agency estimates that it will need to spend about £54 million over the next six years to address these risks though bringing them up to a modern standard would cost considerably more.
The agency funding priorities will be considered as part of the 2005–2008 corporate planning process currently underway.
British Waterways eliminated its safety-related waterway maintenance backlog last April.
Information about the waterways managed by the country's other navigation authorities is not available.