Boaters' Update June 2007
This month the Boaters' Update finds out about the alleged privatisation of British Waterways, plus news on licence evasion, waterwatch and more.
- Is BW being privatised?
There has been a lot of speculation in the media recently about possible privatisation of BW.
In response to the media speculation BW’s chief executive wrote the following letter for to waterway stakeholders on Thursday 24 May:
I think it is right that I should write to all of our waterway stakeholders about an article in today’s Business Section of The Times newspaper, which suggests that British Waterways could be privatised. I want to explain the background about the review to which it refers. You will be aware that press coverage sometimes tends to emphasise the sensational.
Many of you will know (it was referred to several times at Efra sub committee sessions, for instance), that Government has asked BW to consider and investigate whether BW’s current institutional form and financial structure are optimal for the long-term security and success of BW’s inland waterways, or whether alternative options might better achieve this.
To do this we are seeking expert advice and so we have put a brief out to a wide range of business consultants. To carry weight in any subsequent policy discussions we decided that the brief needed to consider the full range of possible options for British Waterways. For example these could include the status quo with a long-term Government funding contract or a more contemporary structure within the public sector. It is very important to emphasise that it is not the policy of the Board or of Government to privatise British Waterways.
We are currently at the tender stage of the review, and so I expect to be able to appoint specialist advisors during the summer. Their report will take time to prepare, and I don’t expect this to be completed before the end of 2007. If the Review recommends any changes to BW’s current structure it will be for the Board and Government to consider whether any such changes are desirable and feasible. In doing so, it would, I am sure, conduct public consultation.
The review seeks to continue the success of British Waterways and the renaissance of the canals and rivers we care for. As the review takes shape I will keep you up to date on the progress and we will be working with Government to make sure it helps us secure the long-term future of the waterways for public benefit.
Yours sincerely
ROBIN EVANS
Chief Executive
- Waterwatch
With the boating season underway, water levels look promising with one of the wettest winters on record: reservoirs are either full or above average. However, the warmest April for over 300 years, plus the driest in over 50 years, has meant that some reservoir levels dropped very steeply. BW has highlighted the reservoirs supplying the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, Caldon Canal, Peak Forest Canal and Macclesfield Canal as being particularly affected. However the persistent rainfall over the past few weeks has helped improve the situation.
With all reservoirs above their minimum levels, and with average rainfall predicted for the rest of the summer, BW is optimistic that widespread restrictions will not be necessary.
To subscribe to receive the latest stoppages and restrictions via email, visit www.waterscape.com/stoppages
- Licence evasion update
BW patrol teams have been working hard to crack down on unlicensed boats. During April alone they recovered over £52,000 of unpaid licence fee income – over £2,000 for each working day of the month. They seized six unlicensed boats and destroyed a further three. At the end of the month, Section 8 proceedings (which is the procedure BW needs to follow to eject evaders) were ongoing for a further 235 boats.
- Middlewich Aqueduct collision – take two
In May, the Middlewich Aqueduct which carries the Shropshire Union Canal over the A530 Middlewich to Nantwich road was struck by an HGV lorry. The collision happened just three and a half months after a skip lorry collided with the Grade II listed structure in similar circumstances, causing approximately £35,000 of damage.
Mark Duquemin, asset and programme manager at BW, comments: "Following BW’s recent heritage repairs to the aqueduct it seems another lorry driver has passed multiple signs, including a flashing sign that is triggered by oversized vehicles, before getting wedged on the underside of the aqueduct. Fortunately on this occasion, there are not any structural concerns with the damage to the aqueduct restricted to a few scrapes on the arch barrel."
BW has requested to meet Cheshire County Council to find out what further precautions can be put in place to protect both the Middlewich Aqueduct and the Nantwich Aqueduct from any further strikes by high sided vehicles.
- BW long-term mooring vacancies
BW is continuing its preparations to launch a trial of allocating long term mooring vacancies by tender. Personal letters were mailed at the end of May to some 2,700 people on the various local waiting lists explaining the plans and the reasons for the change. To stay informed, register your interest at www.waterscape.com/bwmooringtenders, where you’ll also find more detailed information.
Forgotten whether or not you’ve registered? Simply try registering again and the system will tell you if your email address is already logged. Expect to receive an email from us during July or early August with an update on the launch timetable.
- Register now for the Boaters' Update
To sign up for your free monthly e-newsletter, simply email your title, first name, surname and postcode to boatersupdate@britishwaterways.co.uk
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