Apologies for the delay in replying to your previous e-mail.
The 40% statistic is a national one. The K&A has gone against this trend and you are correct that there has been a significant increase here – a doubling in fact in the number of hireboats based between the bottom of Devizes locks and Bristol from 36 in 2003 to 78 this year.
Reasons for this? Probably because it is close to the biggest domestic market for boating holidays, i.e. London & SE, and the fact that people can visit Bath adds particular appeal for overseas visitors. Plus of course its reputation as a particularly attractive waterway that has had more than average media coverage over the past decade.
I apologise if my original e-mail was mis-leading and I hope this clarifies the point.
Robin
Tags: congestion, hire boat companies