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Narrowboats on the up on EA rivers

25th Aug 2005

More and more narrowboats are cruising on rivers cared for by the Environment Agency (EA) with the number increasing by 66% over the past five years.

It is thought that this trend will continue as figures just released show that more gold licences have already been purchased this year than for the whole of 2004. These licences are traditionally purchased by narrowboat owners so they can cruise on rivers as well as canals.

Nearly 6% more boaters bought a powerboat licence in 2004 compared to 2002, so the numbers permanently cruising on EA waterways is also increasing.

In total, the EA registered 29,729 boats on its waterways in 2004 – the largest number of boats registered by a navigation authority in the country.

Julia Simpson, head of recreation and navigation, commented: “These figures are great news and I’m delighted to see more boaters enjoying our rivers.

“With the extra investment we are putting into our navigation over the next three years, I hope this trend continues as more boaters discover what our river have to offer.”

Last updated: 22/10/2008