When making arrangements for a meeting between BaNES Council and Sally Ash and Damian Kemp of BW in December 2011, one of the Council’s housing officers said in an email that “We .. have on-going concerns regarding their appreciation of the potential impact of the proposed moorings strategy (ie homelessness, access to education/services etc).”
Between September and December this year a team of trained Gypsy, Traveller, Boater and Showmen interviewers will be carrying out a study of the health needs of members of their communities living in the Bath and North East Somerset and North Somerset areas. The survey aims to interview 50 Boaters. If you are interested in taking part please contact one of the people listed at the end of this article. Three Boaters will be trained to act as interviewers.
Andy and Janine at work this morning on Tipton. Luckily they can moor up at lunchtime but it was atrocious weather when these photos were taken, sleet, near freezing and high winds.
Tipton delivering coal in Bath, December 2011
This questionnaire is being carried out by liveaboard boaters as part of the Equality Impact Assessment of the Local Mooring Strategy proposals for the western Kennet and Avon canal (Bath to Devizes). The purpose of this questionnaire is to find out what impact the proposed mooring restrictions will have on liveaboard boaters – most of whom don’t have moorings.
The Leader of BANES Council listens to the boaters Photo: Bob Naylor KAcanalTIMES.co.uk
The beautiful sundial constructed to commemorate the K&A 200th anniversary was unveiled on 30 October at lock 10 on the Widcombe flight in Bath. Boaters attended the ceremony in order to hand out leaflets informing the public that BW’s unlawful new policies will make liveaboard boaters homeless.
Around 20 people spent Sunday afternoon clearing litter from the towpath and the water between Bradford on Avon and Bath. Using boathooks and fishing nets, and carrying the rubbish in wheelbarrows, bike trailers and boats, the group took about four hours to do most of the canal and also Warleigh Weir. Well done to everyone who took part, especially as it was such a hot day. Another clean-up has been suggested for the winter, when it will be easier to find any litter that’s hidden by the undergrowth at this time of year, so watch this space…
Tuesday 8th December 8pm Love Lounge @ the Bell
Thursday 10th December 8pm Canal Tavern
Two meetings, one in Bradford, one in Bath to discuss our collective and individual response to the consultations. As with true sneakiness and contrary to government guidelines on public consultation (yes, there will be a complaint) this consultation straddles Christmas and New Year we feel it is important to get our voice heard as soon as. For the last moorings consultation 8% of the response came from the Western Kennet and Avon. We know that you want to make your voice heard, come along and gather the information and resources to make your response as effective as possible.
There are two consultations running:
1. Moorings Policy for BW’s network in England and Wales, deadline 31 January.
2. Proposals for developing local mooring strategies, deadline 11 January (You may have received a letter about this one, delivered to your boat).
Please be there – BW want to introduce mooring restrictions that could severely restrict our way of life, so responding to these proposals is important for the future of our community! You can read the consultation documents online at:
http://www.britishwaterways.co.uk/listening-to-you/consultations-and-reviews/current-consultations
If you can’t come to the meeting, please respond to both consultations. You will find some of our thoughts about the proposals on this website. If you don’t respond your future will be decided without your input.
We cannot emphasis enough how important it is to respond to this consultation, this meeting is a good place to do that.
If you need help getting to either venue, let us know and we’ll co-ordinate lifts.