It has been a busy week for canals. On Sunday there was a high-profile look at their maintenance, value, funding, and overall wonder on BBC’s primetime Countryfile programme.
The theme then continued with the launch of our Impact Report into the contribution of the Trust and our canals to society, and then, on Wednesday, as part of our Keep Canals Alive campaign, we hosted a reception in the Houses of Parliament attended by many MPs and Trust partners.
Read about all that and, after which, I am then delighted to ‘give the floor’ to your final private boating representative who joins our Council on 1 April. Finally, find out the worst thing a boater has done at a pump out and then get your diary out and start planning your spring with waterway events!
As ever, you’ll also find the list of current stoppages.
Happy boating,
Damian
In this edition:
Catch up with Countryfile on iPlayer
250-year-old canal network helps society navigate 21st Century priorities
Taking the case for canals into the heart of government
Results of Birmingham city centre moorings trial
Meet your Council representatives (part three)
How to confirm your mooring when renewing your boat licence
Not a bright spark
Maintenance, repair and restoration work affecting cruising this weekend
Spring events
Bits & bobs
Catch up with Countryfile on iPlayer
Last Sunday saw Countryfile visit the longest and highest aqueduct in the UK, Pontcysyllte. If you missed it then, don’t worry, you can still watch it on iPlayer (you’ll need a TV licence!).
Looking at many aspects, and challenges, of our waterways you’ll hear not only about the essential work at Pontcysyllte but also the restoration of the Montgomery Canal and lock replacements at Stoke Bruerne. There’s also a delve, with many perspectives aired, into the impending funding crisis as a result of DEFRA’s grant funding decision last year.
It’s not just the topics that are wide ranging either. There are interviews with liveaboard boaters, our chief executive, engineers, site supervisors, ecologists, fish rescuers, a hire boat company and conservation blacksmiths (among others!).
250-year-old canal network helps society navigate 21st Century priorities
Earlier this week we published a report for partners, funders and supporters of the nation’s canal network showcasing the benefits delivered by us and our canals. The Impact Report - tells the stories of how canals make a positive impact on people’s lives and help contribute towards some of the most significant challenges facing society.
Building upon an earlier study that aggregates the social value and economic benefits of canals to society, the Impact Report brings to life the stories and testimonies, partnerships and projects that sit behind the monetary values. In highlighting the human stories and associated impact behind our work, the Report emphasises the vital importance of continued support for the nation’s historic waterways.
The Impact Report demonstrates how the reinvention of canals gives them an important role in supporting jobs and the economy, addressing inequalities, and as part of the nation’s green future. It also illustrates how the canal network is part of the UK’s national infrastructure and supports government priorities around water security and access to nature, ensuring that everyone is within 15 minutes of water or a quality green space. The Report celebrates our role as custodians of important cultural heritage, enjoyed by individuals every day as well as visitors from both home and abroad.
David Orr, chair of the Canal & River Trust, said: “As a society we are facing a number of challenges – climate change, biodiversity decline, water shortages, inactivity and loneliness, to name just a few. Through our research, and what we see every day, we know that canals in our towns and cities have the potential to transform communities and help address these societal challenges.
“Our Impact Report is a showcase to current and future supporters – from individual donors and volunteers through to lotteries, corporate sponsors, local authorities, and partner organisations. It also aims to help government and politicians understand the partnership role of the Trust across England and Wales and the importance of keeping our canals alive for the wider benefit of the nation.
“The Canal & River Trust is a UK success story. Since 2012 we have established ourselves as an effective custodian of this amazing 250-year-old network, growing support and generating income. This Impact Report shines a light on the scale and breadth of the work we are doing so that the canal network can benefit society today and for future generations.”
The Impact Report groups the case studies and outputs of the Trust and its network under six themes:
Health, Wellbeing and Happiness – Improving health outcomes and tackling inequalities; saving the NHS £1.1 billion every year.
Engaged People & Cohesive Communities – How the Trust provides vital blue space for nine million+ people living within 10–15 minutes’ walk of a canal; building and sustaining social connections and community cohesion.
Learning & Enhanced Skills – How the Trust’s canals provide a unique space for outdoor learning; building character and resilience; developing employability skills; improving life chances for children and young people, particularly in economically disadvantaged areas.
Prosperous & Connected Places – Contributing £1.5 billion per year in added value to the UK economy and supporting 80,000 jobs through waterways businesses and tourism; supporting sustainable urban waterside living and levelling up; connecting and servicing communities by hosting vital telecommunications and utilities across the country.
Green & Blue Futures – Protecting homes and businesses from flooding by maintaining embankments and reservoirs, totalling approx. £42 billion of flood protection value; supporting the green economy; water security.
Cultural & Environmental Assets – Caring for internationally renowned working heritage, used by more boats than at the height of the Industrial Revolution. The Trust maintains over 10,000 nationally important assets and 2,000 miles of wildlife corridors; connecting people with cultural heritage and nature.
Taking the case for canals into the heart of government
As part of our long term campaign to Keep Canals Alive, we engage with government and parliamentarians as much as possible to highlight the value that our waterways bring to the country - whether that is social or economic value, or the potential for our network of canals to contribute in different ways, such as to flood resilience, nature and biodiversity or water security.
These topics were all top of the agenda when the Trust hosted a reception in the Houses of Parliament this week, sponsored by a cross party partnership of Wendy Morton MP and Holly Lynch MP. Despite our event taking place on the same day as the Budget, over 60 MPs, peers and partner organisations attended to hear more about the Trust’s work and how it is helping to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time.
We were able to deliver key messages about the importance of funding our work to keep canals open and alive - and the challenges that an increasingly volatile climate is posing to our infrastructure and our funds. Both the Minister for Water and Rural Affairs, Robbie Moore MP, and the Shadow Minister for Nature and the Environment, Tony Perkins, were in attendance and gave speeches underlining how much the canal network means to them personally and the country as a whole. Our own chair, David Orr, followed with an inspiring call to arms that hit all the right notes.
You can hear from David Orr and Richard Parry, on their way into Parliament in the video below.
So, we’re here at Parliament today on Budget Day so that we can discuss with parliamentarians the phenomenal contribution that the canal network makes to the country and to take our message directly to them about the absolute imperative need to keep our canals alive.
We’re very pleased that Wendy Morton and Holly Lynch cross-party have agreed to sponsor this event and we have a great turnout of MPs from right across the House and members of the House of Lords who want to hear the message that we have, the impact that we have and the good that the canal network does for the whole nation.
Today, we’ve brought two new documents to share with parliamentarians. The first sets out the broad range of things that we do, the resilience of our network and how important it is,that it is maintained to ensure that it plays a critical role in flood management, in water security, in biodiversity and all these things that are going to be so vital for our future. And we’ve also launched our Impact Report that presents all the stories of all the benefits that we deliver and quantified evidence that demonstrates how important a role we play. Over £4.5 billion of annual social public benefit delivered and £1.5 billion contribution to the economy as well. So it’s hoped that by putting all that before parliamentarians today, we will convince them how important it is to keep our canals open and alive.
We are committed to taking the case for canals into the heart of government, and making sure politicians recognise the scale and complexity of what we do as a charity to keep our canals alive.
Results of Birmingham city centre moorings trial
Birmingham city centre is a popular destination for boaters, and we wanted to make sure moorings here were available for as many visiting boaters as possible, now and in the future. So last year we went out to consultation and ran a trial from July to December 2023. Our aims were to simplify the rules, standardising stay times in the central zone, making it easier for boaters to find the right berth, especially those with additional access needs.
The new mooring stay times have been shaped with feedback from individual boaters, boating groups and local boating businesses. The new standardised mooring stay times will make it simpler for boaters of all abilities, from near and far, to enjoy facilities, shops, and restaurants in the city centre.
From the 1 April the changes will be:
visitor moorings in the central zone will be standardised as four-day moorings from 1 April to 31 October and 14-day moorings from 1 November to 31 March
the visitor moorings northwest of Sheepcote Street on the New Mainline Canal and southwest of Granville Street on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal standardised to 14-days all year round
‘accessible mooring’ spaces will be signed in three locations: between Cambrian House and Tindall Bridge; south of Worcester Bar; and alongside the International Convention Centre
the pontoons at Cambrian Basin all designated as long-term moorings
the ‘service mooring’ alongside the Canal House in Gas Street Basin will be formalised. This will enable improved access to the bin store for private boaters and our litter boat
the ‘service mooring’ between the Roundhouse Birmingham and Sheepcote Street will be formalised. It will be available for boaters using the facilities at Sherborne Wharf and by Roundhouse Birmingham to facilitate events
Tom Freeland, West Midlands boating and customer services manager, said: “I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to respond to our consultation and trial. All the feedback was reviewed and, where possible, improvements made.
“We believe these new stay times will make the best use of the limited space available and will allow everyone the chance to experience the wonderful city of Birmingham.
“We’ll keep an eye on visitor numbers and on all customer feedback throughout the year before reviewing the success of the new mooring arrangements early next year.”
Over the last couple of editions, you’ve ‘met’ three of your four private boating representatives who will sit on our Council for three years from 1 April. This final installation completes the set as we hand the ‘floor’ to Rosie Strickland.
How long have you been a boater?
Eight years
What drew you to boating?
I want to live a life closer to nature, and with attention to resource consumption. I’m an environmentalist and believe that we all need to live with a lower impact to protect the planet for future generations. I lived in communities in Wales before moving to London. The lifestyle and community of boaters in London is similar to that in smaller rural communities. I also wanted to be able to save money, in the midst of a housing crisis and unaffordable rents in London. I own my own home, which is unusual for most people my age living in London.
Favourite canal/river?
River Lea!
Best thing about boating?
The coots. The community. Discovering new corners of London with every move.
Why did you apply to represent private boaters on the Trust’s Council?
I applied to give our community a voice on the council. I’m an active NBTA member and believe that we need to improve the facilities on the London waterways in particular in order to sustain our way of life. The Trust’s policy often misses the fact that there are many vulnerable people living aboard, and with recent license fee increases, the way of life that we and many other towpath visitors enjoy is under threat.
What do you hope to achieve over the next four years?
Better representation for live aboard boaters, particularly in the London area but not limited to. Ultimately better provision of facilities, and legal acknowledgement of the live aboard continuous cruiser within the Trust’s policy.
What are your aspirations for the canal and river network?
To design some new mooring rings and towpath lighting solutions that improve towpath safety and reduce congestion.
And finally, what’s one thing that most people don’t know about you?
I named my boat Damaris Rose after my Great, Great, Grandmother, who was a show-woman running a steam fairground at the turn of the 20th century. Her leadership and nomadic lifestyle, bringing joy and entertainment to communities in the West Midlands, is a constant inspiration.
How to confirm your mooring when renewing your boat licence
As you may have read in the last edition, from 1 April this year we’re introducing an additional licence charge for boaters who continuously cruise. This means that when you’re buying or renewing your boat licence, if you have a home mooring, you’ll be asked to provide some proof of that mooring.
All the information on what you’ll need to provide is on our website here, but to make it easier, we’ve created a template form that you can ask your mooring provider to complete to confirm proof of your mooring. To avoid any delay in buying or renewing your licence, we strongly advise you to provide proof of a home mooring 28 days before you renew you licence – when you receive a licence renewal reminder.
Not a bright spark
The overwhelming majority of boaters are respectful, community minded and acutely aware of the challenges, including financial, of maintaining an aging network in the face of increasingly frequent extreme weather and the threat of reduced grant funding from Government. I would love to be able to say ‘all’ boaters but, sadly, that’s not the case.
This cautionary tale doesn’t need to be long either – the dangers are obvious. It all starts with a pump out facility. As many of you will know there is a standard way of using them and it doesn’t involve rewiring them. Yes, you read that correctly.
The glaring danger is one of electrocution with voltages of 12, 24 and 230 all running through the site. Thankfully, on this occasion, no one was injured. That’s not to say there wasn’t any impact. While the pump out continued to operate, it wasn’t performing as it should. This, as you’d expect, triggered calls of concern from boaters.
On inspecting the pump out we spotted the vandalism, rectified it and made secure – at a cost of over £1,000. Not only is that money that we’d love to have spent on more necessary repairs but it could have ended very badly.
My colleague, a liveaboard boater, suggests that this is also an opportune moment to remind boaters about elsan etiquette. They have, unfortunately, firsthand experience of newly afloat boaters putting all manner of inappropriate things down there. The rather obvious outcome has been absolute chaos and expensive, messy problems on the mooring by simply not asking how things work or what to do. So, as a gentle reminder (or straight up education) feel free to share the poster below with anyone you feel might benefit…
Maintenance, repair and restoration work this weekend
As someone who’s out on, or by, the water more often than most, you’ll know that there are times when we need to fix things that unexpectedly break. So, below, you’ll find a list of navigations that have ongoing restrictions that may affect you if you’re planning to get out on the water this weekend:
When restrictions to navigation happen, we get them up on to our website as soon as we can – always best to have a scan before you set off. Have a read of the article below to find out how to get stoppage notification alerts on your smartphone.
If you have any questions about a specific closure, or spot an error in our system, please get in touch.
Spring events
You’d be forgiven for missing it but, meteorologically speaking, spring has sprung. With this advent most of us start to venture out a bit more – whether that’s a pre-planned cruise or just a bimble along a towpath.
Either way, as you’ll see below, there’s plenty going on around the waterways to entice you out of hibernation!
March
22 March, Nottingham. Clear your pipes and join us for a free festival of water-themed songs, sung by local choirs, to celebrate World Water Day and in aid of three water-based charities. This will reward you with a double dose of wellbeing by spending time by water and enjoying some singing - you can even join in if you like.
23 March, Bingley Five Rise Locks. Celebrate with us at one of our iconic 'wonders of the waterways' as Yorkshire’s Bingley Five Rise Locks celebrates its 250th anniversary. It’s a family-friendly day out where you can find out what makes Bingley Five Rise Locks one of the seven ‘wonders of the waterways’ with a special day of activities running throughout the day, from town to towpath.
29 Mar to 1 Apr. Near Leighton Buzzard and another at Great Haywood. Come along for a delightful day at the Roving Canal Traders Association (RCTA) Floating Market, a unique event organized to not only bring attention to the canal as a charming and vibrant destination, but also a great place to find boat-related items and one-of-a-kind gifts.
29 Mar to 1 Apr, National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port. The Easter Historic Boat Gathering takes place over the Easter weekend when a fleet of colourful boats take centre stage across the site while the museum comes alive with music and activities for the whole family.
April
2 to 11 Apr, National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port. Those of you with school age children, or grandchildren, will be relieved to hear that our Explorers will be hosting children’s activities at 11am on Tuesdays and Thursdays. At least that’s four days they’ll be kept busy!
14 Apr, National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port. In partnership with ‘Cogwarts’, Steampunk enthusiasts from across the UK will be visiting the museum on Steampunk Sunday, where you can marvel over magnificent exhibits, try your hand at the noble art of Tea and Parasol duelling, browse a fabulous variety of Steampunk trade stalls, enjoy live entertainment and tuck into fine food and drink at our annual Steampunk extravaganza!
21 Apr, River Lea, Hackney. The Spring Rowing Regatta will be taking place under the auspices of British Rowing. It’ll be an all-day event with rowing clubs from the surrounding region competing.
May
3 & 4 May, Brinklow Waterside & Marina. The first of its kind, Electrika, is designed for anyone interested in electric narrow boating. Adoption of electric propelled, hybrid narrowboats is gathering momentum but finding good information and impartial advice isn’t always easy. Electrika has been created to provide a place for boaters to meet equipment manufacturers, talk to experienced electric boatbuilders and chat to existing owners to hear about their actual experiences of "Going Electric".
4 to 6 May, Little Venice. The IWA Canalway Cavalcade returns to London’s Little Venice for the full early May Bank Holiday weekend. Each year it celebrates the best of life on the waterways in London and its community.
4 to 6 May, countrywide. The Fund Britain’s Waterways campaign group is organising a weekend of action to highlight the impact of insufficient funding for Britain’s 5,000 miles of inland waterways. It will take place across the country on waterways managed by different inland navigation authorities and coincide with IWA’s annual Canalway Cavalcade (above), which will be themed on Fund Britain’s Waterways.
8 May, Westminster. Boaters attending the Cavalcade are invited to join a Campaign Cruise past the Houses of Parliament, as the culmination of the weekend of action. Parliamentarians will be encouraged to view the event and express their support for the continued maintenance of the waterways to enable them to keep on delivering economic, health, environmental and well-being benefits.
17 to 19 May, Stroud, Gloucestershire. A volunteering weekend, in collaboration with the Waterway Recovery Group, where you'll join a friendly and experienced group of volunteers who work round the UK to restore canals and other waterways. This weekend is likely to involve mostly construction skills in a semi-rural area of the Cotswolds canal. All training and safety equipment will be provided but you must provide your own steel toe cap footwear.
25 to 27 May, Crick. Britain's biggest inland waterway festival, Crick Boat Show, takes place across the late May Bank Holiday weekend. It’s brimming with all things boating, craft ales, seminars and masterclasses, food, entertainment and, of course, lots of boats so it makes sense to get your discounted advance tickets now!
There’s also a great, boater-created, map at Floydtilla where you can zoom in to find those closest to you.
There are many more events happening around the waterways this spring, far too many to include them all here, but if you have an event you’d like boaters to know about then do please drop me a line.
Bits & bobs
From 1 April there will be some governance changes to the Boat Safety Scheme which will see it become a not-for-profit company. As a company limited by guarantee, Boat Safety Scheme Limited has been incorporated to take on the work of the existing Scheme. The Scheme’s structure remains unchanged, with all income returned into the running costs and continuing the safety improvements brought about by the Scheme since its inception in 1995. Boating customers of the various navigation and harbour authorities won’t see any change to their existing BSS Certification or boat licence/registration processes because of these changes. The current Boat Safety Standards will continue to apply in the same form - with current BSS Certificates remaining valid until their existing renewal date.
If you do a lot of your boating in Wales then, as an early heads up, there is new waste legislation coming into force in Wales from April 2024, look out for more information in the next edition.
Don’t forget that our North West User forum is on 7 May. We want to share with you highlights of the work we are doing across the region including what work we have been doing, what has gone well and the projects we have coming up this year. We will also be providing an update on our financial position and how it’s affecting the Trust. You’ll get the chance to pose questions during these sessions too. Additionally, designated tables will be set up for various topics, including boat licensing, volunteering opportunities and customer support. To book, please visit our Eventbrite page.
Happy boating,
Damian
Last Edited: 08 March 2024
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