The organisers of weekend protests over funding cuts on the region's canals said they were "overwhelmed" by the response from supporters.

More than 70 narrowboats yesterday blockaded Salvage Turn, opposite the Mailbox in central Birmingham, as part of a national demonstration over #7 million worth of cuts.

Demonstrations against the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs cuts were also held in Birmingham on Saturday, when around 40 boats gathered at Old Turn Junction opposite the Sealife Centre.

The narrowboaters launched the Save Our Waterways Campaign over concerns that the savings will lead to cuts on canal-side maintenance. Trade union Unison are also angered that they will result in the loss of 180 jobs at British Waterways by next April.

Vaughan Welch, chairman of the Birmingham branch of the Inland Waterways Association and co-organiser of the city demonstrations, said: "I really didn't think we would have such a large turnout. I was overwhelmed when I looked around and saw all the boats.

"We are hoping that the Government has taken notice of the strength of feeling against these cuts.

"We had many people join in with the demonstrations who were not boaters. There were ramblers, walkers, cyclists, and people who generally like canals."

Mr Welch said another demonstration is being held in Fazeley, Staffordshire, this weekend, and further protests are planned in the New Year.

He added: "The inland waterways are over 2,000 miles of canal and river, many of which are over 200 years old. They're very frail and part of our heritage and they have to be maintained to the right level.

"There needs to be continuous, ongoing maintenance."

Ivor Caplan, who also organised the event, said: "We were very happy with the turnout at the protest. It goes show how much people care for their canals."

Other demonstrations were held in London, Manchester, Northampton and Gloucester over the weekend. There was also a demonstration in Sydney, Australia.

Defra has said investment in waterways has been "heavy" in recent years. It also said it was "confident" British Waterways would be able to carry on with its job.

However, concerns were raised last month that the regeneration of the Midlands could be reversed because of the funding cuts.

Senior politicians said the clock could be turned back "more than 30 years" on progress the region has taken in recent years.

The closure of the British Waterways Birmingham office will result in the loss of 60 jobs.

Among those losing their jobs will be canal experts who help to obtain Section 106 compensation money from 'city living' residential developers which is used to improve the waterways.

Union leaders will meet Labour MPs as part of plans to step up parliamentary lobbying against the cuts.

Chris Fabby of Unison said: "In the run up to Christmas 180 hard working, loyal British Waterways employees face the nightmare prospect of losing their jobs through no fault of their own.

"We have made it clear to British Waterways that any attempt to implement compulsory redundancies will be met by a wave of protest by workers and the unions.

"However, if British Waterways is successful in clawing back any grant money, we want a commitment that it will be used to eliminate, or at the very least reduce, the number of planned job cuts."

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