He also said there was now a new relationship with DEFRA, based on trust all round. 'But that did not mean that they would get all the money they wanted.'

Hales said they expected to hear the results of the department’s current spending review within the next four weeks and also said: 'Waterway assets would remain in public ownership.'

In stressing the rising cost of maintaining the waterways, particularly because of soaring construction work costs and climate change, Hales said damage from the recent floods has cost BW some £8m.

The presentation from chief executive Robin Evans posed a number of questions and problems, such as how BW could achieve an affordable and comprehensive maintenance programme, and how do they increase their earnings to pay for the network? He spoke about the current study by consultants into how BW is constituted and particularly stressed what an advantage it would be to be able to borrow money on the commercial markets.

He explained the uncertainty BW has in forecasting the incoming cashflow – a problem that could affect the planned £7.5m programme of winter maintenance work – and which could be solved by short-term borrowing.

Evans also speculated on questions such as how big the waterway network should be, how they can retain the attraction of the waterways as a catalyst for regeneration, how they can achieve further public support and use and how BW’s workforce should be developed for the future.

Many of the questions from the audience – led by IWA national chairman John Fletcher - centred around the proposed major boat licence increases and consultation with users. The IWA had already described the BW licence increases as ‘mugging the boaters as the easy target that is visible’.

Although Hales and Evans stressed they wanted a continuous consultation and dialogue with users, a number questioned how effective this was and how BW conducted it.

A representative of the Association of Pleasure Craft Operators (APCO) questioned the effectiveness of the checking of licences and mooring permits and also the lack of revenue from those with ‘continuous cruising’ status, pointing out that, in effect, BW is receiving the least income from the most intensive users.

BW admitted that there was a problem in the south east area referred to, but in general licence checking and recovery of monies owed is much more effective.

Although the waterways minister could not be at the meeting, a spokeswoman from DEFRA – after outlining progress on the current spending review - publicly assured the audience that 'the department is committed to the retention of the waterways network'.