At the K&A Users Forum on 23rd April 2014, Waterway Manager Mark Stephens agreed that he would speak to Wiltshire Council about re-instating the boaters’ rubbish bins at Devizes Wharf, where there is an Elsan disposal point, pump-out and water tap. However, enquiries last month by boater and journalist Bob Naylor elicited a statement from CRT’s contracts manager Richard Harrison that there are no current plans to re-instate the bins.
CRT is holding another consultation on methods for allocation of its directly managed moorings, but despite the previous consultation in 2008 showing overwhelming opposition to the principle of an auction system, it is refusing to even consider abandoning the auctions. In addition, the consultation only runs for one month, in contravention of the law on consultations. If you oppose the mooring auctions, please respond to the consultation before 3rd November expressing your opposition. Send your response to mooring.updates@canalrivertrust.org.uk. Or make a formal complaint.
Liveaboard boaters without a fixed address can register to vote by declaring a local connection. The form to use has changed and requires more information such as your date of birth and National Insurance number. This change has been made because of the move to individual voter registration, rather than household registration. Boat dwellers with no fixed address have always needed to register individually so the change is not so great for us.
Residents, boaters and CRT agreed last week that there was a case for making parts of Wilcot on the Long Pound a Quiet Mooring Zone. The Pewsey Canal Action Group’s second meeting on 2nd October 2014 concluded that there was no need for any 48-hour moorings in the village as there is always space for boats to moor.