Latest Posts in Brief « Kennet and Avon Boating Community Website

Covid-19: CRT closes Caen Hill flight until further notice

March 25th, 2020

CRT yesterday (24th March 2020) made the decision to close the Caen Hill flight between locks 29 and 44 until further notice as part of its response to the Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, to protect its staff and ensure they are only sent to deal with the most critical tasks. The last boats were admitted at 10am yesterday.

The K&A is also closed at lock 52 at Wootton Rivers due to a broken gate, until further notice.

On Monday CRT suspended the 14-day rule until 14th April 2020 and boat sightings are not being taken during this period. This will be reviewed in mid-April.

CRT is also telling the public that if they use the towpath for their daily exercise or journey to undertake essential work, to avoid any stretches with boats moored against the towpath, and strictly observe social distancing at all times, following the latest advice from Government.

See https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices

Tags: Caen Hill, continuous cruising, CRT, liveaboards, Section 17, stoppages, Waterways Act 1995, Wootton Rivers
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Covid-19 community support for K&A liveaboards is now in action

March 25th, 2020

Here is a message from Julian House Travelling Communities Support Service who are co-ordinating support to the liveaboard community between Hanham and Wootton Rivers during the coronavirus crisis. Alice Young says:

“Here is a map showing where your Community Coordinators will be coordinating practical support to boaters and their phone numbers. Check where you’re moored and note the relevant name and number.

CRT suspends 14-day limit until mid-April due to UK coronavirus lock down

March 24th, 2020

As a result of the Government lock down announced yesterday 23rd March 2020, Canal & River Trust has issued the following statement:

Coronavirus support on the K&A is up and running but more volunteers are needed

March 22nd, 2020

Julian House Travelling Communities Support Service is setting up a community help plan for liveaboards affected by Covid-19 (coronavirus) between Hanham and Wootton Rivers. They will also make any ideas and resources available so boaters further afield can replicate them. They are looking for willing, healthy community members who can self-organise to support people’s basic needs and give practical help where needed. At the moment they particularly need more volunteers in the Long Pound between Coate Bridge and Wootton Rivers.

Liveaboard boaters invited to comment on Seend Parish Plan by March 28th

March 20th, 2020

Seend Parish Council has invited the liveaboard boating community to comment on its draft neighbourhood plan. The Plan includes a section on the Kennet and Avon Canal (Policy SP7, Section 5.2, page 36). The deadline for comments is 28th March 2020.

Coronavirus: CRT has no plans to restrict boat movements but self-isolating boaters can overstay

March 17th, 2020

CRT confirmed last week that it has no plans to restrict boat movements due to the Covid-19 pandemic but that it will update its advice as and when necessary. A CRT staff member said that the waterways were a relatively low-risk environment as there were very few large gatherings. However, if boaters need to self-isolate and stay longer than 14 days in any one place, CRT confirmed that this would be reasonable in the circumstances.

Friends, Families and Travellers has produced guidance for boaters and other travelling communities on Covid-19, see https://www.gypsy-traveller.org/advice-section/guidance-for-gypsy-traveller-and-liveaboard-boater-communities-on-coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR1andeBO2v8OPNgEVpiD5D8If1TgoMP9vO7sIvB8NwRoGu6J1dCd_HUXjU

Julian House Gypsy, Traveller, Boater and Roma Community Support Service is working on an action plan within BaNES and Wiltshire to ensure that everyone on the canal is safe and cared for. You can contact them if you are self-isolating or are concerned about anyone else. Phone or text Alice on 07960 097719 or Emily on 07946 200271 or contact via
https://www.facebook.com/GRTBSupport

Although aimed at the settled community, Wiltshire Council has produced a useful Community Pack about Coronavirus which has some ideas for mutual help within the community that can be adapted to suit boaters. See http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/news/articles/covid19-community-pack

Please respond to Wiltshire Gypsy and Traveller strategy consultation survey by 12th March

March 4th, 2020

Wiltshire Council is consulting on its future Gypsy, Roma, Traveller and Boater (GRT&B) strategy. Please make sure that the voices and views of the liveaboard boater community are heard by completing this online survey by 5pm next Thursday 12th March 2020. The survey is here https://surveys.wiltshire.gov.uk/snapwebhost/s.asp?k=158134588690

The survey asks for your comments on the Council’s draft 2020-25 strategy for the Gypsy, Roma, Traveller and Boater communities in its area. You can download the 14-page draft strategy here Draft-gypsy-roma-traveller-and-boater-strategy-2020-2025-for-wiltshire

Council may install bollards to stop boaters parking in Wilcot canalside lane

February 9th, 2020

Wilcot Parish Council has proposed installing bollards in the lane by the canal to prevent vehicles parking. This is the latest idea by the parish council to stop boaters parking their cars in the lane. It is not clear at present whether the proposal is to prevent parking throughout the lane.

Restricted licence holders can vote in CRT Council election following complaint – vote by 14th February

February 5th, 2020

CRT has relented from its decision to bar boaters on restricted 6-month licences from voting in the 2020 CRT Council election following a complaint by the NBTA. Make sure you check your postal address and/or your email as soon as possible, as CRT is not extending the election, which means everyone needs to vote before midnight on Friday February 14th 2020.

K&A Boaters’ Action Group, 10th February, Honeystreet

January 31st, 2020

The next meeting of the K&A Boaters’ Action Group will be on Monday 10th February 2020 at 7.30pm in the Snug bar at the Barge Inn, Honeystreet SN9 5PS. All are welcome.

Kennet and Avon Boating Community Website