Written question asked by David Heyes (Labour) on Monday, 21 November 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 23 November 2011. It was answered by Lord Benyon (Conservative) on Monday, 28 November 2011 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Inland Waterways: Dredging

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects the backlog of dredging on British Waterways' canals and rivers to be cleared.

Answer: Dredging is an operational matter for British Waterways (BW) and it applies risk-based prioritisation to its maintenance expenditure. The Government require BW to operate and maintain waterways to standards that reflect use and prospects of use.BW estimate that the cost of clearing the current backlog of dredging would be approximately £40 million. BW has not set a time scale for dealing with the dredging backlog because it is subject to BW's need to prioritise expenditure on its major infrastructure assets. However, it prioritises dredging at locations that cause particular boating constraints.Future prioritisation of expenditure on the operation and maintenance of the waterways will be a matter for the Canal and River Trust, once BW's functions and assets in England and Wales are transferred to the charity.

Secondary information