In his address to the 2006 BW AGM the Chief Executive acknowledged the importance of property development to British Waterways: "With a property portfolio valued at over £½ billion we have benefited enormously from the increase in demand for waterside commercial and residential property over the last few years. Realising value though often means a changing waterfront."

Under the terms of the 1968 Transport Act, British Waterways are obliged to get the maximum return on investments. In many regeneration projects (often a euphemism for 'property development'), the greatest return is usually achieved by maximising housing density, sometimes at the expense of local amenities. In a waterway setting, such amenities can include practicalities such as boatyards or community centres, or less tangible assets such as the views from waterway or towpath.

There is growing evidence that where the financial rewards of property development conflict with BW's duty to consult and listen to the views of local communities, it is consultation that suffers.
But this 'British Waterways knows best' approach to property development can backfire. In Oxford, for example, British Waterways ignored the wishes of their 'core-customers', the local boating community and the City Council and paid a hefty financial penalty. In Brentford, BW are accumulating property for a flagship housing development on an industrial estate and are using questionable freight transport information in an attempt to push this through without proper consultation against strong local resistance.

Meanwhile in Hackney, residents of Debdale Court will see their views of the canal disappear when a BW/Hackney Council housing development is complete. The first the residents were aware of the proposed development was the receipt of a leaflet late in 2005, after planning permission was awarded.

The article links found on the top right of this page give an account of these British Waterways 'regeneration projects'.

These are not isolated incidents. In London alone, the adequacy of consultation in all the following developments should be opened to scrutiny: Gainsborough Studios, Muriel Street Gardens, Lock Cottage (Camden Town), Harris Wharf, Docklands moorings, Mile End waterfront, Little Venice pool, Ealing waterside, Bulls Bridge, Adelaide Dock, Kentish Town Pump House, Camden Town Interchange warehouse, business barges and towpath alterations.

British Waterways Action Forum will be providing more details on the lack of consultation afforded to these and other projects on this website in the coming months.