Data and Case Studies
Continuing to improve the collection, collation and representation of valuable data and case studies with respect to AINA Members and their waterways.
There remains an urgent need to improve the collection and communication of good quality baseline data and statistics pertaining to navigation authorities and their waterways. It is often the case that some data is presented in relation to individual navigation authorities, particularly the larger ones, but no indication of the industry-wide picture, with data shown from all navigation authorities is given. Previous waterway studies, including Defra’s Waterways for Everyone project in 2008/9, have demonstrated that there is a need to assemble data on inland waterways to:
- Quantify the scale of the sector for advocacy purposes
- Support bids for funding; and
- Monitor progress towards securing a sustainable future for inland waterways
With funding support from Defra, AINA began to address this need in 2010/11 and has continued to do so in 2011/12. The AINA website now has this discrete section housing a repository of high quality data, statistics and other information pertaining to the inland navigation sector as a whole.
AINA remains the body best-placed to continue to accelerate the collection, collation and representation of such data and information. Its unique position as the industry body for all statutory and operational navigation authorities enables it to understand, identify and procure the information and data which are available and which are needed. Its navigation authority Members supply it with information on the waterways free of charge for the benefit of the sector.