Boaters' Update December 2008
This month we cover BW’s 2009 boat licence fees, the Chancellor’s pre-budget report, green canal water helping fuel 21st century business, mooring auctions, BW’s wildlife survey results and the Prince of Wales visit to Sowerby Bridge Wharf.
2009 licence fees for England & Wales announced
BW announced its new boat licence fees for England & Wales. From 1 April 2009 the net (ex VAT) price for Leisure business licences will increase by 7.5%, Gold licences will increase by 8.2% (5.9%) and all other licences by 8.5% (6.2%). Figures in brackets show the effective increase for individual boaters after taking account of the reduction in the VAT rate. Boat licence fees for Scotland are currently being consulted upon with a proposed 6.3% licence fee increase from April 2009. Transit licences in Scotland are due to be held at 2008 prices.
BW’s marketing and customer services director, Simon Salem comments: “We are shelving plans to introduce a higher fee for wide beamed boats and for seeking government support for the abolition of the rivers only licence fee. However, we continue to support the view expressed by many boaters in the 2007 consultation that it is unfair that continuous cruisers do not make a contribution to the cost of maintaining the waterways that is commensurate with those who take a home mooring."
BW is therefore considering options to cater for those who like to have no fixed base and cruise short distances between temporary moorings within easy reach of their work or other land-based commitment.
Read more about the new boat licence fees for 2009 and proposals for a new roving mooring permit
Chancellor's Pre-budget Report
The Chancellor of the Exchequer published the Pre-budget Report and announced £5m of BW’s 2010/11 grant for investment has been brought forward for BW to spend in 2009/10 as part of a package of measures to provide a ‘fiscal stimulus’ to the economy, which means providing more cash for spending and to create jobs. BW will spend this £5m on engineering works, such as the repair of locks, bridges, embankments, reservoirs and dredging the waterways. The total spend on major works during 2009/10 is now planned to be £33m.
In the same report, the government also announced 'a review of British Waterways' model for managing its canalside property portfolio which will assess how best public value might be delivered from these assets in the medium term.'
View the full pre-budget report
Licence evasion reduced by over a third
BW’s annual National Boat Count took place over two weeks during November. In a year which has seen more than 140 boats seized and live Section 8 enforcement proceedings currently underway on more than 300 craft, the number of unidentified or unlicensed boats on BW waterways has reduced from 10.4% to 6.8%.
The biggest falls in evasion rates have been in the West Midlands, London and the South West, although there have been reductions in evasion rates in seven out of the eight BW administrative areas in England and Wales.
Simon Salem, BW’s marketing and customer services director, comments: “The National Boat Count is an accurate snapshot of the boats on our waterways and supplements the local checks that take place week in, week out. It allows us to update the records held centrally and to generate information that prioritises enforcement action.
“Just over 6% of waterways income comes from boat licences – a valuable income that is reinvested into the upkeep of the waterways. It is absolutely right that we crack down on the minority of boaters who are not contributing.
“The reduction in evasion rate over the past year reflects the hard work and commitment to change that BW enforcement teams have embraced. However we know that there is more work to be done over the next 12 months in reducing the rate still further.”
Anyone who has an unlicensed boat one month out of date as at the beginning of April, including all those identified as part of the National Boat Count, will soon face an additional charge of £150 on top of their overdue licence fees. The charge reflects the extra cost incurred by BW chasing up overdue payment.
Denise Yelland, BW’s national enforcement manager, comments: “The Late Payment Charge takes affect from the beginning of April so the clock is ticking for unlicensed boaters to avoid incurring additional expense.”
Visit the License it or Lose it website
Mooring auctions
BW's website developers are beginning to plan the changes to the mooring tenders website to turn it into an open auction site for mooring vacancies. They are inviting regular users of the site to write in with suggestions that would make the site easier to use.
Email your suggestions to mooring_vacancies.enquiries@britishwaterways.co.uk
Tenders on ten vacancies will close at 1pm on Christmas Eve, including sites on the Kennet & Avon, Bridgwater & Taunton, Grand Union, River Witham, Lancaster and Gloucester & Sharpness.
The volume of activity on the site is so far holding up well in spite of the recession.
View moorings vacancies online
Green canal water helps fuel 21st century business
Britain's 200-year-old canal network is providing a green energy solution for waterside businesses – using canal water and heat exchange technology as a more sustainable alternative to traditional air conditioning. The first blue chip to embrace the technology, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), has the target of reducing its head office carbon dioxide emissions by 920 tonnes per annum and lowering its energy bills.
The initiative in West London replaces a traditional air conditioning system and uses recyclable water from the Grand Union Canal to primarily cool GSK’s computer data centre via heat exchangers and a water-cooled chiller. The opportunity works in a similar way to a car radiator where cool air passes through the hot engine to lower its temperature. Because this results in water being returned to the canal slightly warmer, it has required an environmental analysis and consent from the Environment Agency.
BW’s chairman, Tony Hales comments: “A legacy of their industrial past, our waterways pass alongside thousands of waterside organisations seeking greener ways of doing business. GSK is leading the way as the first FTSE 100 company to embrace and realise the benefits of utilising their canalside location to lower energy bills and reduce impact on the environment.”
BW estimates that a further 1,000 waterside businesses nationwide could follow the company’s lead by using canal water for heating or cooling. This would result in annual energy savings of £100m and reductions in carbon dioxide emissions of approximately one million tonnes – the equivalent to some 400,000 family sized cars being taken off the roads. Income that BW generates from the initiative will be reinvested into looking after the nation’s canal network.
Read more about this green energy solution for waterside businesses
Bugs & Beasties on Britain’s Waterways
BW’s fifth annual wildlife survey revealed that despite a year of unusually wet weather, more than 3,000 sightings of wildlife were recorded by visitors to Britain’s canals, rivers, docks and reservoirs.
This year’s survey, supported by the British Dragonfly Society, focused on dragonflies and damselflies and more than 350 were spotted across the country, particularly in the North West. BW’s ecologists say that the presence of these much loved and colourful insects is a key indicator of good water quality and a healthy local ecosystem, as they need to lay their eggs in or near water.
BW’s national ecology manager, Dr Mark Robinson comments: “Our waterways play a vital role in towns and cities by providing wildlife corridors that help sustain populations of a variety of species including bats and otters. This year, people who took part in the survey have helped demonstrate that there are valuable habitats supported by canals and rivers. Waterways are free and accessible for everyone to enjoy and monitoring species helps us to support wildlife in the best way we can. “
This year BW’s wildlife survey ran alongside a photography competition, encouraging budding photographers to head to their local waterway and snap photos of dragonflies and damselflies and for the first time held a separate children's wildlife photo competition.
Read more about the BW’s wildlife survey findings
View the wildlife photo competition winning entries
Sowerby Bridge Wharf Royal visit
Last month the Prince of Wales visited Sowerby Bridge Wharf, West Yorkshire to see first hand the extensive conservation and regeneration work that has been achieved there. The project to regenerate the area was established by his charity, The Prince’s Regeneration Trust, in 1996 when the wharf was in a state of decline and dereliction.
The project has conserved and restored a unique collection of historic canal buildings, as well as helped to benefit and support the existing businesses at the wharf. The Prince’s Regeneration Trust’s chief executive, Ros Kerslake said: “The regeneration of this historic wharf has had an immense impact locally; Sowerby Bridge now has a new role as a significant business and leisure base in West Yorkshire. Traditional crafts such as the repair and fitting out of narrowboats now co-exist alongside new modern business enterprises, all making valuable contributions to the economy of the area.”
Read more about the Prince of Wales visit to Sowerby Bridge Wharf
Caledonian Canal sails to number 1 spot
The Caledonian Canal has come out top in Le Boat's customer satisfaction survey 2008. The Caledonian Canal beat off stiff competition to take first place in the ‘Best Overall Holiday Experience’ category, beating 40 other boatyards and canals spanning as far a field as Berlin and Venice.
The survey is issued to customers who have sailed on the Caledonian Canal asking holiday-makers to rate their experience. BW’s Highlands canal manager, Russell Thomson said: “We are really pleased that the canal has been awarded such an accolade. Our job is to make sure that all visitors to the canal have the best time possible and coming top in this category proves to us that the Caledonian Canal is providing a fantastic holiday experience for everyone to enjoy.”
For more information about Le Boat's customer satisfaction survey 2008 and the Caledonian Canal
European recognition for Foxton Locks
Roger Helmer MEP unveiled the European Route of Industrial Heritage (ERIH) plaque this month at Foxton Locks. The ERIH plaque marks prestigious sites that have made a major contribution to industrial heritage and now offer sustainable centres as visitor attractions. It is made up of a network of industrial heritage sites across Europe where the long-term sustainability of the sites is a priority.
BW’s south east general manager, Jeff Whyatt commented: “We are delighted that the work of the Foxton Locks Partnership at Foxton Locks has been recognised by the European Route of Industrial Heritage; this is an exciting link to the many waterways of Europe that have been recognised by ERIH.”
Roger Helmer MEP said: “I am hugely impressed by the restoration work already achieved at Foxton. It is a delightful place to visit. I hope very much that the dream of reinstating the lift on the inclined plane will be fulfilled.”
Read more European Route of Industrial Heritage recognition at Foxton Locks
Loughborough Basin commended at design awards
Loughborough Canal Basin has received a commendation in the newly introduced Townscape category of the 2008 Charnwood Design Awards. Describing the development as ‘a striking and colourful addition to Loughborough’s townscape’, the judges recognised the development for improving public access to the waterside, creating an attractive public space around the basin, and enhancing facilities for canal users.
The Design Awards, held biennially by Charnwood Borough Council, aim to recognise those projects that demonstrate good design, quality and imagination, and that will provide lasting benefit to the Borough. They seek to encourage good practice in the design of new developments, conservation of existing buildings and the use of landscaping around new or existing buildings.
BW’s investment & development manager, Mike Coates said: “We’re very grateful for the recognition of the judging panel and are particularly proud that the commendation came in the townscape category. It was always our intention to create a focal point that would benefit Loughborough by opening up a previously disused part of the town to actively encourage residents, visitors and boaters to enjoy the many benefits of spending time by the water.”
Read more about the award for Loughborough Basin
Waterway bridge gets a heritage makeover
Unique Glanhafren Bridge over the Montgomery Canal near Garthmyl has received a makeover. The 120-year-old bridge is a Grade II listed structure located midway between the historic border towns of Welshpool and Newtown. It was built to carry a driveway over the canal to nearby Glanhafren House, itself a building rich in local heritage, and is also the sole form of access for several properties between the canal and the river at Glanhafren.
The decorative parapets and cast iron beams of the bridge are unique along the entire Montgomery Canal.
However, time has taken its toll on the elegant structure, leading BW engineers undertook a careful restoration in-keeping with its original design which involved replacing the outermost deck timbers, which had been subject the greatest wear and were severely decayed.
The Montgomery Canal Partnership’s development manager, Kevin Bell said: “The Montgomery Canal continues to play a key role in the area as a magnet for tourists and local visitors. Work on the long-term restoration of the canal continues, in the meantime our commitment to sensitive refurbishment of landmarks along the canal adds to the appeal of this unique waterway, keeping the campaign for re-opening alive and well.”
Read more about the Glanhafren Bridge over the Montgomery Canal
A big welcome to heritage working boats
BW recently handed over two of its historic heritage working boats, Atlas and Malus, to the Birmingham Canal Navigations Society (BCNS) and Coombeswood Canal Trust (CCT). The canal societies, based in the heart of the BCN, will lease the boats from BW with the aim of using them for the future promotion of the waterways.
The two boats formed part of the BW-led ‘Heritage Working Boats Project’, supported by the HLF. The project, which dates back to 1999, began with a fleet of ten boats that were sensitively restored back to their former glory using photographic evidence and actual oral accounts.
Since then the project has continued with the dedicated support of heritage working boat volunteers, who give up their spare time to ensure their conservation and promote the use and education of the historic working boats. More recently a decision was made to rationalise the fleet of boats, with support from the HLF, to ensure the project’s future sustainability.
Both were offered to waterway-related organisations who would continue to care and use the boats in the same way as the heritage working boat volunteers. The BCNS and CCT will keep both the engine powered Atlas and the butty boat Malus moored at Hawne Basin, Halesowen, returning both the boats back onto part of their old working ground on the BCN.
Find out more on BCN Society and Coombeswood Canal Trust welcome new heritage working boats
Extra vigilance along icy waterways
BW is urging everyone to be careful when visiting canals this winter. Recent wintry days and dropping temperatures have brought picturesque and frosty scenes to many of the nation’s historic waterways, with some freezing over altogether. The cold weather brings with it its own particular hazards however, and BW is calling on waterway visitors to take extra care this winter.
Towpaths, bridges and lock-sides can be particularly slippery at this time of year and snow can conceal trip hazards such as boat mooring rings close to the water’s edge. Frozen waterways, while they look idyllic, can also be very dangerous and visitors should never attempt to walk on the ice. This is particularly important with activities involving young children, such as feeding ducks or dog walking and BW’s message for visitors is to stay SAFE (Stay Away From the Edge).
BW’s head of health and safety, Tony Stammers explains: “winter is a lovely time to get out and visit your local canal or river. The frost, ice and snow have an almost magical affect that makes the waterways popular with walkers, photographers and artists. It is vital, however, that people take particular care to avoid turning a gentle walk into a miserable visit to A&E or worse. Children in particular should always be accompanied by an adult when they visit a waterway and should be made aware of the potential hazards.”
Read Waterscape.com’s top tips for winter boating
For more information about planning a safe trip to the waterways visit Wild Over Waterways or the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents
Festive fun by the canals and rivers
As you are very aware, Christmas is just around the corner and it’s time to get cracking with that last-minute Christmas shopping. But don’t worry, if present-hunting is leaving you cold, visit waterscape.com's waterside shopping centres where it’s easy to warm up with a walk along the canal and a welcome hot chocolate in a canalside pub.
Over the holiday season why not test your knowledge of canals, carols and general trivia with the Waterscape.com’s Christmas Quiz?
Simply send your answers to editor@waterscape.com by 2 January 2009.
All correct answers will be placed in a hat and the winner will receive a Waterscape.com goody bag.
Take part in waterscape.com’s Christmas quiz
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