In January 2020 BaNES Council attempted to close the 14-day moorings at Mead Lane, Saltford following a long campaign by local residents hostile to liveaboard boaters. Allegations were made that the mooring of boats had damaged the river bank. A decision was made to carry out a structural survey, which took place on 3rd September 2020. The survey by Atkins Global engineering consultancy found that there was no damage to the bank from moored boats.
The K&A Boaters’ Action Group meeting that was scheduled for October has been postponed to December 2020, due to current limits on meetings and pub hours. We intend to hold a virtual meeting shortly. This will be either a phone conference or a Zoom meeting. Please watch this space.
If you need any information or advice about CRT enforcement against boaters without home moorings or any enforcement letters, texts or emails, please contact the Boaters’ Action Group at info@boatingcommunity.org.uk or 07928 078208. Under normal circumstances the group meets in person every 2 months on the second Monday at different places along the K&A. It aims to defend and promote the boating community on the K&A.
The Floaty Boat Fund is raising money to help boaters affected by the sinkings and strandings on the River Avon following the failure of the Environment Agency’s (EA) sluice gate at Twerton on 15th September. While the fund cannot offer financial support to individuals, money raised will be used to provide appropriate support. You can donate here:
A friend of James, whose home was sunk, has started a fundraiser to help him repair his boat. You can donate here:
https://uk.gofundme.com/f/james039-lost-houseboat-fund
Boaters affected by the sinkings and strandings can claim compensation from the Environment Agency, who say that “If you believe you have a reasonable and legitimate claim please notify us via the following email address, with TWERTON INCIDENT as the subject”:
Estates-SW-Thames@environment-agency.gov.uk
The Environment Agency has this evening (17th September 2020) issued more information about the help available for boaters affected by the sinkings and strandings due to the sluice gate failure at Twerton in Bath. This includes details about what will be done to raise and inspect boats. Please see below.
Help is available for the boaters affected by the sinkings and strandings on the River Avon in Bath on 15th September 2020, caused by the failure of the Environment Agency’s (EA) sluice gate at Twerton. Alice and Carla from Julian House Travelling Communities Support Service will be on site today 17th September to assist anyone who needs support. Contact Alice on 07960 097719 or Carla on 07539 926809. The EA and CRT will also be at Weston Lock today from 8am. If you have any concerns about water levels or the sluice gate, contact 0800 807060 24 hours a day.
CRT has contracted with River Canal Rescue to raise and free the sunk and stranded boats and they will be on site today to assess damage to each boat. The Police, Avon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, CRT and BaNES Council have also been on the spot to protect the boats, provide security and provide emergency accommodation (at YMCA Bath) or welfare support for those who need it. If you know anyone who has been affected please share this information with them as they may not have access to their phone, charger or laptop.
Boaters have launched an appeal to raise money to repair singer Angel Nash’s boat after it sank on 15th August after very heavy overnight rain, while she was asleep on board.
Angel managed to get off the boat with her dog and cat, but she has lost everything and the boat needs extensive repairs and refitting. Please give generously to the GoFundMe appeal which aims to raise £20,000. See https://www.gofundme.com/f/refloat-angel039s-boat?
The Government is planning legislation to prohibit the use of red diesel for propulsion in “private pleasure boats” (in the Government’s eyes this seems to include boats used as homes), following the 2018 judgement by the European Court of Justice (CJEU) regarding red diesel in private pleasure boats. This is part of a wider phasing out of red diesel for many uses, to meet environmental obligations. The Government plans to implement the changes from April 2022, though this may be phased in later for private boats. The current consultation follows a 2019 HMRC consultation on implementing the CJEU judgement on red diesel in private boats.
The deadline is 1st October 2020. The consultation and the response form are online here https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/consultation-on-reforms-to-the-tax-treatment-of-red-diesel-and-other-rebated-fuels
The K&A Boaters’ Action Group meeting that was scheduled for August has been postponed to October 2020, due to the limit on the number of people from different households who can meet and the continuing risks of Covid-19.
The Universities of Cardiff and Plymouth are carrying out a joint research project called Canal boat dwelling: Homes, Welfare and Mobile Citizenship on Britain’s Canals. The project is funded by the British Academy and Leverhulme Trust. The researchers are Professor Richard Yarwood (Plymouth) and Dr Agatha Herman (Cardiff). They say:
“We are particularly interested in issues around homes, families, welfare and citizenship and would love to hear your stories as these will help us better understand the benefits and challenges you experience. It has four main objectives, which are to: