A CRT work boat will collect bulky rubbish from boaters between Bath and Bradford on Avon tomorrow, Tuesday 17th August 2021, from 10am to 3pm. CRT staff and volunteers in uniform will also be litter picking on the towpath. CRT aims to provide this service every 3 months.
BaNES Council is running a public consultation on river parks and towpath improvements on the River Avon between Churchill Bridge and Newbridge in Bath. The consultation asks questions about people’s use of the towpath but does not include an option to say that you use the towpath for mooring your boat, and does not mention boating at all. This needs to be challenged! The deadline for responses is Friday 8th January 2021.
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.
There will be a boaters’ meeting next Tuesday 28th January to discuss what the options are for the liveaboard community now that BaNES Council has voted to remove the only 14-day moorings on the River Avon. The meeting is at 7pm on Tuesday 28th January 2020 at the George Inn, Mill Lane, Bathampton BA2 6TR.
Despite verbal and written submissions to the Council meeting from liveaboard boaters, BaNES Council cabinet voted on on 16th January 2020 to close Mead Lane moorings on the River Avon and to carry out a structural survey of the river bank. The Council has ordered boaters to leave the moorings within 21 days of the decision, even though the Avon is in flood and has been on red boards since 10th January, with CRT advising boaters that it is not safe to navigate.
If you are moored at Mead Lane, DO NOT MOVE unless it is safe. You can check for any updates on river conditions by phoning CRT on 0303 040 4040 or email
enquiries.walessouthwest@canalrivertrust.org.uk.
See also https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices
Liveaboard boaters will address BaNES Council on the importance of keeping the moorings at Mead Lane, Saltford open on Thursday 16th January 2020. The consultation report will be discussed by the Council’s cabinet at 7pm on 16th January at The Guildhall, Bath. The meeting is open to the public; Mead Lane moorings is item 15 on the agenda. The Council’s cabinet will take a final vote on which of the options outlined in the consultation report it will adopt.