David Lawrence, the agency's head of navigation and recreation, said: "The aim of the strategy is to promote the essential role navigation plays in the healthy development of the river environment."

We want to show members of the public and organisations with an interest in inland waterways the value navigation can bring to their work, he added. The strategy addresses a variety of issues, including:

how to involve the community and provide a better waterways service to people; how navigation can play a pivotal role in developing partnerships between the public, private and voluntary sectors and how navigation can trigger economic and cultural regeneration.

The strategy also looks at other important issues surrounding navigation, identifying the distinction between the agency's statutory role and general duties. The EA says it will ensure the agency provides the highest possible standards in navigation.

"Having published the consultation draft we will encourage colleagues, partner organisations, river groups and individuals to comment over the coming months, " said Lawrence. "The feedback will allow us to produce a more tightly focussed document, offering a measured and considered policy framework."

The document is available through the agency's website - www.environment-agency.

gov.uk/navigation.