Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he is taking steps with relevant (a) local authorities and (b) waterways agencies to ensure the future viability of the Sankey Canal.

Responsibility for different sections of the Sankey Canal falls to three local authorities (Halton, Warrington and St Helens Borough Councils), the Canal and River Trust, and a limited company. Ministers do not have a role in operational matters on inland waterways. It is for the navigation authorities to decide on funding allocations for their maintenance.