Inland Waterways Association

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In 1946 the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) was formed to campaign for the conservation, use, maintenance, restoration and sensitive development of British Canals and river naivgations. Notable founding members included L. T. C. Rolt and Robert Aickman^{[citation needed]} Over the country it is organised into regions each of which consist of several branchs.

The IWA currently has over 17,500^{[citation needed]} members and works closely with British navigation authorities including the British Waterways Board and other waterway bodies, a wide range of national and local authorities, voluntary, private and public sector organisations to raise funds, lobby for support and encourage public participation. The IWA also supplies voluntary labour through its subsidiary the Waterway Recovery Group. Each year it organises the National Festival which is run entirely by volunteers on behalf of the Association.

Through these efforts, more than 500 miles of derelict and unavailable canals and river navigations have been re-opened to public use since the Association was founded. Another 500 miles are currently the subject of restoration plans.^{[citation needed]} However the Association believes there is still much to do.

[edit] Recent developments

In November 2005 IWA signed a maintenance and operating agreement with the Administrator of The Company of Proprietors of the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation Ltd, whereby IWA will be responsible for the navigation in perpetuity. The Chelmsford Branch of the IWA worked closely with the C&BNCo from 1994 until it went into administration in August 2003.

IWA has formed a subsidiary company, Essex Waterways Ltd. and, with support from local authorities the Association will operate and maintain this very popular river navigation for the benefit of the general public. This is the first time that the IWA has taken full operational and maintenance responsibilities for a navigation