The process will be facilitated by the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR), an independent non-profit organisation, specialising in dispute resolution and prevention techniques in commercial and public-sector disputes.

During the mediation, all the issues that concern the parties will be discussed. The mediation will seek to find a practical resolution of their differences so that they can work together for the good of the Inland Waterways.

It is expected that it will take approximately six weeks to set up the mediation process, the statement concluded.

According to the CEDR, the power and force of mediation lies in its ability to hand the final decision back to the clients.

Mediation is generally held to be a quick process. It can be set up in weeks and the CEDR reckons some 80% of mediated disputes are settled on the day, or shortly after.