Boaters' Update September 2008

New BW web pages for boat licensing
All you need to know about boat licensing is now set out in a new area of the BW website at www.britishwaterways.co.uk/licenseit, replacing the old fees and conditions booklets. For non-internet users, Customer Services will mail out printed copies of the information on request.

For printed copies contact Customer Services on 0845 671 5530 or email enquiries.hq@britishwaterways.co.uk.

Changes to licence terms and conditions
BW has made some changes to its licence terms and conditions. The revisions apply to licences beginning 1st October 2008. Representatives of leading boating organisations commented on the changes earlier in the year and the full terms and conditions, together with a summary of the changes are available to download from www.britishwaterways.co.uk/licenseit or contact Customer Services on 0845 671 5530 or email enquiries.hq@britishwaterways.co.uk if you would like a printed copy.

Read more about the changes to BW’s licence terms and conditions

Chief executive's summer customer forums
BW's chief executive, Robin Evans, has completed his summer forums around the network. Robin took questions and highlighted BW's priorities for the management and maintenance of the network. Robin comments: "The customer forums were a further opportunity for me to listen to boaters and towpath customers and to get their views face to face about spending priorities and waterway related issues. There was discussion and debate across a number of topics, notably licence renewals, waterways maintenance priorities, the increasing cost of boating and the introduction of, and necessity for, minimum safety standards."

Read more about BW chief executive’s summer tour

State of the Waterways Heritage Report
BW's head of heritage, Nigel Crowe, has published his annual snapshot of BW's heritage management activities in his latest State of the Waterways Heritage Report. The report shows that whilst funding for the care and maintenance of waterways heritage remains a key issue, the work of BW’s heritage advisers, engineers and waterway volunteers has helped to further improve the historic fabric of the waterways heritage.

BW is the third largest owner of listed buildings in the UK, and whilst the number of scheduled monuments on the waterways has increased, the numbers of listed buildings at risk has reduced to 43, down from 125 three years ago.

Read more on what Nigel has to say about the Waterways Heritage Report

Historic lock re-opens in Droitwich
On Friday 26 September the Droitwich Canals Partnership celebrates the restoration of the 155-year-old Barge Lock, linking the Junction Canal with the Barge Canal in Droitwich.

Miles away from sun loungers in the Mediterranean, teams of Waterway Recovery Group (WRG) volunteers from across the UK spent their summer holidays dredging the lock, re-pointing and repairing the brickwork and installing the necessary lock features needed for it to become a working lock once again. Once completed, BW installed the new lock gates.

The Waterways Trust (TWT) and the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) led the campaign to raise the funds needed to restore the historic lock. TWT, chief executive, Roger Hanbury said: "Restoration of the lock is fundamental to the plans to re-open the Droitwich Canals. We are extremely grateful to the WRG for all their hard work and to the waterways enthusiasts from across the UK who have given their support to the appeal – both in time and money."

IWA chairman, John Fletcher, said: "The IWA is delighted to have been able to play such an active part in the restoration of the Barge Lock and to be able to help save this crucial piece of waterway heritage."

The wider restoration of the Droitwich Canals is pressing ahead. Jason Leach, BW's project manager for the restoration comments: "The Junction Canal construction is progressing well, the contract for the A449 works has been awarded and the volunteers are gearing up for more lock restoration works. The canal is on target to be fully open to navigation in the spring of 2010."

Read more about the restoration of the 155-year-old Barge Lock

'Mon & Brec' Roadshow
Following the breach of the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal last October, much of the repair work to bridges and locks is now complete. The focus for the remainder of the project is now firmly on the two-mile stretch at Gilwern where the breach occurred.

Waterway customers have been hearing first hand how the project to repair the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal is progressing at half day sessions in Llangynidr and Llanfoist, and at the Llangynidr Show this month. The sessions provided the local community and businesses with an opportunity to raise specific issues and concerns.

At the core of the half day meetings was a detailed exhibition board outlining the repair schedule, with a supporting map showing the exact locations and nature of work being undertaken. The exhibition is now based at Goytre Wharf and will appear at selected venues around the waterway, keeping communities in the picture as the project progresses.

Specially produced newsletters containing the latest information were also distributed to visitors, while project staff were on hand to answer queries and individual concerns.

Read more about the Mon & Brec Roadshow

Boat licensing
During 2007 British Waterways undertook an extensive consultation on future boat licence fees. Many boaters and representative groups contributed to this and some good suggestions were made. The result was that BW moderated the 2008 licence fee increase and asked the independent British Waterways Advisory Forum (which comprises representatives of the leading national waterway organisations) to examine each of the suggestions in closer detail.

By studying the 2007 public consultation responses, analysing data and debating options, BWAF members gained a good understanding of the challenges involved in determining a 'fair' boat licensing system and presented their report to BW at the end of August 2008.

Some feel BWAF's proposals to be controversial so BW is now canvassing support from the leading waterway organisations. Most immediate are the proposals to introduce supplementary charges for boats having no home mooring, and wide beamed boats. This would effectively re-distribute the boaters' burden for contributing to waterway maintenance costs. The BWAF report is published with BW’s response at www.britishwaterways.co.uk/current-consultations.

There has since been some useful discussion on internet user groups pointing out that the distinction between broad and narrow beam should be set at 2.3 rather than 2.1 metres to reflect the sizes of some historic Grand Union boats.

This final phase of consultation will end on 7th November, and BW is asking that, wherever possible, boaters direct their views through their boating user group of choice.

Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey praises the K&A
As part of a new campaign to protect the countryside actor and director Kevin Spacey recently revealed that the Kennet & Avon Canal is his favourite iconic British countryside view. Spacey hired a narrowboat last year to cruise the Kennet & Avon Canal, stopping off at pubs along the way and said of it: "Boating on a canal is a great way to watch the world drift by, and it's a lot more relaxing – if a little faster perhaps – than traveling through the streets of London. What better way is there to experience the spectacular Avoncliff aqueduct in Wiltshire and the nature that surrounds this man-made canal?"

Promoting canal holidays
BW is joining forces with the hire boat trade to further promote canal holidays. As part of the promotion a two-day event is being held in Brindleyplace, Birmingham on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th October. BW's marketing services manager Nicky Ross comments: "Hire boats and staff will be on-hand to chat to potential holiday-makers and this will include free boat trips and money-off vouchers. It will be a must for anyone in the area who is looking for a fun holiday and wants to know more."

Find out more about the canal holiday taster weekend

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