We hope the Assembly's investigation leads to a greater understanding of the role the GLA, London boroughs, boaters and other canal users all need to play in helping us ensure our waterways can continue to be enjoyed now and into the future.
In many respects, the capital's waterways are busier and more popular than ever. They are enjoyed and shared by millions of Londoners and tourists each year as great places to walk, cycle, fish, cruise and live.
They are a finite resource and suffer the same issues of congestion as other parts of the city. We believe the report's recommendations for increases in moorings and enhanced facilities will be challenging to deliver in light of this congestion and the limited opportunities available within London, however we welcome the opportunity to work with local planning authorities, GLA and other stakeholders to find the right solutions for the canals and the many people who use and enjoy them.
The Assembly has just published its report, so we'll go through it and be able to respond in more detail in due course.
In London we care for around 100 miles of canals, rivers and docks, which are enjoyed by millions of visitors each year. We are actively encouraging communities to get more involved in their local waterways through adopting stretches of canal, volunteering as lock keepers or becoming towpath rangers. This month more than 800 Londoners took the opportunity to walk through a drained lock chamber in Camden and learn about the work it takes to care for the capital's waterways.
Read the response from Richard Parry to the London Assembly mooring report
