Boaters' Update January 2010

Public consultation on BW’s mooring policies
BW has two concurrent consultations covering residential and online moorings and how the development of stakeholder-led local mooring strategies could work.

The closing date for both is 31 January 2010 (note extended deadline for the second of these). Don’t miss out on this opportunity to influence BW policy.

Copies of the consultation papers, response questionnaires and other relevant information is published at www.britishwaterways.co.uk/mooringconsultation09.

BW is also looking for a small number of volunteers to help with the reviewing and analysis of all the feedback. Some professional experience of reviewing and summarising written documents is important for this job. Select ‘consultation assessor’ for more information.

Waterways for Everyone
Defra has launched its consultation on an updated strategy for the inland waterways of England and Wales – ‘Waterways for Everyone’.

The consultation sets out the wide range of benefits delivered by waterways and their associated paths, and seeks views about how to encourage greater recognition of these benefits by more communities, and to encourage greater partnership in securing the future of the waterways.

BW’s chairman, Tony Hales comments: “We welcome the Waterways Minister’s aspirations for this national treasure and hope that lots of people take the opportunity to get involved in the consultation.

The consultation document sets out the even greater potential of the nation’s 200-year-old canals and rivers in contributing to modern society and encourages further debate on BW’s plans to provide a more sustainable future for the waterways within the third sector.”

The closing date for responses is 26 March 2010. Take part in the ‘Waterways for Everyone’ consultation

BW Board Members not to draw Defra pay rise
BW Board Members (non-executive directors) have unanimously decided not to draw the 1.5% pay rise recently awarded to them by Defra and the Scottish Government. The money will be donated instead to The Waterways Trust to help with existing projects to engage disadvantaged young people.

Speaking on behalf of the Board, BW’s chairman, Tony Hales said: “Although the money was awarded to us by Defra and the Scottish Government, which appoint the Board, we all believe it would be wrong for us to take higher pay when there has been no general pay increase in BW this year and funding is so tight.”

Top tips for winter boating
As the arctic weather continues to grip the country and dominate the headlines, Britain’s canals and river navigations have iced over. BW reports almost 90 per cent of its network has frozen solid and warns that although the snowy waterways look safe to walk or play on, any attempt to go on the ice is extremely dangerous. BW’s message for visitors is to stay SAFE by Staying Away From the Edge.

Boating in winter can be tricky . When the ice finally starts to thaw stay safe with these top ten tips for boating in cold weather.

Have you taken any snowy canalside photos? Send them to waterscape and they could go on the website - credited of course! Upload your photos via Twitter.

Boat checker update
Last month website users reported 34 sightings of unlicensed boats until the end of December. Of these, 29% have subsequently relicensed and a further 50% were already in BW’s enforcement process, 6% resulted in new cases being opened for action, and the remaining 15% were boats which were not identifiable through a valid boat index number but the details have been passed to BW enforcement teams for further investigation.

Visit the online boat checker

Mooring auctions update
Now the festive period is over, BW’s mooring auction vacancies are running for the usual 14 days again. There are over 30 vacancies currently available on the website, including four for residential use.

To view all vacancies please go to www.bwmooringvacancies.com

Communities to play active role in aqueduct’s future
Communities are being urged to get involved in a programme of presentations and workshops along the Llangollen Canal corridor during January. Activities include a guided badger walk, a guided walk showcasing otters and mink, building otter holts, towpath access improvements and tidy events.

To find out more about the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct & Canal Project and activities

Towpath Tidy 2010
And finally, have you penciled 1 - 14 March in your diary? BW is planning lots of activities up and down the UK to tidy up, clear vegetation, paint and improve local canals and rivers. Keep an eye on www.waterscape.com/towpathtidy for updates.

If you want to help organise an activity, contact volunteer@britishwaterways.co.uk

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Last updated: 12/01/2010