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 CRT consultation on proposed changes to Boat Licence Terms and Conditions ends on Monday 21st December 2020. You can only respond to the consultation online here https://wh.snapsurveys.com/s.asp?k=159843204588
Below we publish a short version of the previously published example response. Please respond if you can – if implemented, the proposals will drive some of our community off the water and into homelessness. Your response will carry more weight if you can put it in your own words, but the example response is a guide. You can download it here Short Example response to CRT Licence T&C consultation 2020
The K&A Boaters’ Action Group will be holding a telephone meeting on Monday 30th November 2020 at 7.30pm-9.30pm to discuss the current CRT consultation on changes to the Boat Licence Terms and Conditions. We are very concerned that the proposals will have serious implications for all boaters but especially for liveaboards.
The CRT consultation on changes to the Boat Licence Terms and Conditions ends on Sunday 21st December 2020. We think CRT’s proposals for changes to the Boat Licence Terms and Conditions are unreasonable and unlawful. Both the National Association of Boat Owners and the National Bargee Travellers Association are extremely concerned about these proposed changes. Please respond if you can.
Below we publish an example response to the consultation. It is really important that the views of liveaboard boaters are represented in this consultation. If implemented, the proposals will drive some of our community off the water and into homelessness. Please complete the consultation questionnaire opposing these proposals. Your response will carry more weight if you can put it in your own words, however the example response is a guide. You can download a copy of the example response here Example response to CRT Licence T&C consultation 2020
Unfortunately CRT has decided that consultation responses can only be completed online here https://wh.snapsurveys.com/s.asp?k=159843204588
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 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
Last week BaNES Council reversed the decision that it made in January and has re-opened the 14-day moorings at Mead Lane, Saltford on the River Avon, until a structural survey of the river bank is carried out and further consultation of interested parties has taken place. The U-turn followed a solicitor’s letter sent to the Council on behalf of boaters. This comes shortly after the BaNES Environmental Health department began taking steps in mid-May 2020 to evict liveaboards who had been moored at Mead Lane due to the suspension of boat movements for the Coronavirus lockdown.
Wiltshire Council is consulting on its future Gypsy, Roma, Traveller and Boater (GRT&B) strategy. Please make sure that the voices and views of the liveaboard boater community are heard by completing this online survey by 5pm next Thursday 12th March 2020. The survey is here https://surveys.wiltshire.gov.uk/snapwebhost/s.asp?k=158134588690
The survey asks for your comments on the Council’s draft 2020-25 strategy for the Gypsy, Roma, Traveller and Boater communities in its area. You can download the 14-page draft strategy here Draft-gypsy-roma-traveller-and-boater-strategy-2020-2025-for-wiltshire
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