The deadline for the consultation about BaNES Council’s plans to upgrade the towpath along the K&A between Sydney Gardens and Bathampton is 11th September. There is an online questionnaire and detailed information about the Council’s plans here http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/services/your-council-and-democracy/consultations/kennet-and-avon-canal-towpath-improvement
Because B&NES council are the land owners for the banks of the river running from Bath flight bottom lock up to Pulteney, they have the legal right to control who moors on the banks. You do not need a licence to keep a boat on this quarter mile of river and there is still a Public Right of Navigation but, as with most rivers, the riparian rights reside in the land owners. In a panic attack and in collaboration with CRT last year the Bath and NE Somerset Council, upset by what they saw as undesirables using this public resource, have banned mooring to their land for everyone.
All enforcement cases involving boaters who are ill will be personally scrutinised by CRT Chief Executive Richard Parry. This was announced following an online petition that nearly 4,500 people have signed. The petition calls on CRT to stop evicting boat dwellers who are disabled, elderly or vulnerable. You can read the petition and sign it here
Bath and NE Somerset Council (BaNES) has changed its requirements for the evidence needed to obtain the Diamond Travelcard that entitles pensioners and people with disabilities to travel free. A mooring licence for a site in BaNES; evidence of entitlement to vote in BaNES, or a letter to a PO Box or Poste Restante in BaNES addressed to the applicant from a government department or public body are now accepted as evidence of residence in the BaNES area.
BaNES Council Housing and Major Projects Panel endorsed the Council’s Task and Finish group report on Boat Dwellers and River Travellers on 19th November. Liveaboard boaters delivered a statement to the Panel supporting the report and explaining why the actions proposed in the report were needed.
One of the issues raised in the Boaters Voices project last year was the difficulty faced by boaters without home moorings in getting the concessionary bus pass that pensioners and disabled people are entitled to. The barrier faced by liveaboard pensioners was that the Councils that administer the concessionary travel scheme would not accept a Poste Restante address or provide a bus pass to someone with no address at all. This was pursued with Wiltshire Council. BaNES Council is also reviewing its procedures for applying for the bus pass.
A report published by Bath and NE Somerset Council has recommended that the Council should not endorse the CRT Local Mooring Strategy for the western K&A unless and until the Council is satisfied that it is compliant with CRT’s legal obligations under the Equality Act and the Mooring Strategy will not conflict with Council policy.