Boaters' Update November 2008

A new look at Liverpool’s waterfront
The first phase of an £8m scheme to bring a new look to Liverpool’s world-renowned Pier Head has been opened to the public. During the past year the area in front of the Three Graces - the Liver, Cunard and Port of Liverpool buildings - has been transformed to create a world-class public space incorporating a new canal.

BW’s chief executive, Robin Evans, commented: "As an integral part of the £20m creation of the Liverpool Canal Link, BW has delivered the public realm works on behalf of the city. The design and construction is to a high specification in keeping with its surrounding while providing an area of high amenity value for all to enjoy.

"When the Canal Link opens to boating traffic in spring 2009 for the first time in over a century canal boats will sail once again across the world renowned Pier Head and into the heart of this famous city. The link will bring animation to the waterfront and rejuvenate the communities the canal passes through bringing economic benefits to the region."

Find out more about Liverpool’s new look waterfront.

Pay now or pay more
As part of BW’s licence evasion crackdown, a date has been set for the introduction of the Late Payment Charge, which was announced earlier in 2008. People whose 12 month boat licence is more than one month out-of-date from 1 April 2009 will have to pay an extra £150 for their renewal.

Read more on BW’s licence evasion crackdown

Waterway Standards Advisory Panel
The new Waterway Standards Advisory Panel met for the first time last month. Its aim is to help monitor and further develop BW’s Customer Services Standards. The current panel, chaired by BW’s marketing and customer service director, Simon Salem, includes experienced members of the boating trade, boating community and other waterway leisure users as well a BW lock keeper, length inspection supervisor and customer operations manager.

Simon comments: “Our Customer Services Standards clearly define what can be expected from BW and our waterways. The Advisory Panel is currently reviewing the standards against what’s happening on the cut and to see, as far as is possible, if they reflect the wide ranging needs and views of those using the waterways.

“The first meeting showed the value of having input from both within and outside of BW and the intention is for the Panel to formulate recommendations about any additional standards that should be introduced or modifications that should be made to the existing set. Their expertise will carry serious weight when it comes to BW’s annual business planning and scheduling of maintenance works.”

View BW’s 81 current customer services standards.
The terms of reference of the panel are available here.

Makeover for Lune Aqueduct
BW held a public consultation to discuss the forthcoming makeover of the Lune Aqueduct on the Lancaster Canal. The Grade I listed structure is to be given a £3m facelift as part of ambitious plans to develop the Lancaster Canal as a key visitor centre and economic generator for the North West. These include making the site more accessible and visually appealing to visitors, in addition to underpinning the structural integrity of the aqueduct for decades to come.

BW’s external funding officer, Steve Higham, said: “Works to improve this mighty structure will begin in the new financial year. It is important that we gauge the views of as many local people to ensure the works we undertake will benefit the local communities as well as key visitors.”

Read more about plans for Lune Aqueduct on the Lancaster Canal.

Record numbers for Standedge
Standedge Tunnel and Visitor Centre has just closed its gates for 2008 with over 11,000 people taking a trip into the highest, longest and deepest canal tunnel in the country.

Fresh from picking up its second nomination in the Yorkshire Tourist Board’s 'Tourism Oscars' the site has gone from strength to strength and was also heavily commended in VisitBritain’s Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Service. The report noted: 'Standedge visitor centre and boat trip is an excellent visitor experience; enthusiastic staff share their pride in the attraction for the benefit of the visitors.’

BW’s visitor services manager at Standedge, James Dean, said: "Our visitor numbers are increasing year on year and we’ve all been working hard to ensure that our visitors have a great time when they come to Standedge. Visitors can have a great family day out with a trip into the famous tunnel with one of our expert guides, have a picnic or bite to eat in the café and take a look round the visitor centre which charts the construction of the canal and tunnel."

Read more about future plans at Standedge Tunnel & Visitor Centre.

Stourbridge Canal to re-open for Christmas
Following a full assessment by BW, the works to repair the breach site on the Stourbridge Canal are expected to cost almost £750,000 and providing the planned work stays on schedule the breach site is expected to be fully re-opened in time for Christmas 2008.

BW’s West Midlands general manager, Tony Harvey, said: "Our top priority has been to get the canal re-opened for our customers as soon as possible, so its great news that the breach repairs should be completed in time for Christmas 2008."

Find out more about the works on the Stourbridge Canal.
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Life continues at 40
BW is calling on waterway holidaymakers, boaters, visitors and enthusiasts over the past four decades to help mark the 40th anniversary of one of the most important events in the 200 year history of the UK’s canals. Following a period of decline as a result of the waterways being used less to transport frieght, the implementation of the 1968 Transport Act was the first government recognition of the leisure and amenity value of the waterways thereby helping to secure them for future generations.

BW’s chief executive, Robin Evans, explains: "Over the past 40 years, the waterways have provided millions of people with wonderful holiday and family memories. We’re calling on people to share their photos, drawings and nostalgic jottings of memorable day trips, holidays and visits to help us capture these moments in a giant waterway scrapbook that will be available for others to see. Photos and memories should be sent to 40yearsofmemories@waterscape.com."

Read more about Life at 40 and view the scrapbook.

Customer Services Christmas opening hours
And finally BW Customer Services will be closed from 25 December 2008 to January 5 2009.

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Last updated: 13/11/2008