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
CRT yesterday (24th March 2020) made the decision to close the Caen Hill flight between locks 29 and 44 until further notice as part of its response to the Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, to protect its staff and ensure they are only sent to deal with the most critical tasks. The last boats were admitted at 10am yesterday.
The K&A is also closed at lock 52 at Wootton Rivers due to a broken gate, until further notice.
On Monday CRT suspended the 14-day rule until 14th April 2020 and boat sightings are not being taken during this period. This will be reviewed in mid-April.
CRT is also telling the public that if they use the towpath for their daily exercise or journey to undertake essential work, to avoid any stretches with boats moored against the towpath, and strictly observe social distancing at all times, following the latest advice from Government.
Julian House Travelling Communities Support Service is setting up a community help plan for liveaboards affected by Covid-19 (coronavirus) between Hanham and Wootton Rivers. They will also make any ideas and resources available so boaters further afield can replicate them. They are looking for willing, healthy community members who can self-organise to support people’s basic needs and give practical help where needed. At the moment they particularly need more volunteers in the Long Pound between Coate Bridge and Wootton Rivers.
CRT confirmed last week that it has no plans to restrict boat movements due to the Covid-19 pandemic but that it will update its advice as and when necessary. A CRT staff member said that the waterways were a relatively low-risk environment as there were very few large gatherings. However, if boaters need to self-isolate and stay longer than 14 days in any one place, CRT confirmed that this would be reasonable in the circumstances.
Friends, Families and Travellers has produced guidance for boaters and other travelling communities on Covid-19, see https://www.gypsy-traveller.org/advice-section/guidance-for-gypsy-traveller-and-liveaboard-boater-communities-on-coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR1andeBO2v8OPNgEVpiD5D8If1TgoMP9vO7sIvB8NwRoGu6J1dCd_HUXjU
Julian House Gypsy, Traveller, Boater and Roma Community Support Service is working on an action plan within BaNES and Wiltshire to ensure that everyone on the canal is safe and cared for. You can contact them if you are self-isolating or are concerned about anyone else. Phone or text Alice on 07960 097719 or Emily on 07946 200271 or contact via
https://www.facebook.com/GRTBSupport
Although aimed at the settled community, Wiltshire Council has produced a useful Community Pack about Coronavirus which has some ideas for mutual help within the community that can be adapted to suit boaters. See http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/news/articles/covid19-community-pack
Liveaboard boaters from the K&A joined demonstrations outside CRT’s headquarters in Milton Keynes on 10th May where in total about 90 boat dwellers without home moorings protested against the charity’s punitive and unlawful enforcement action against boats without a home mooring. Some 15 boaters also protested at CRT’s licensing office in Leeds.
The K&A boaters action group has obtained an assurance from CRT that it will not take enforcement action against boaters who are trapped between Lock 11 in Bath and Seend (Semington for 70′ boats) because of the stoppage at Seend Wharf Bridge. CRT has placed certain conditions on this assurance. The stoppage runs until 11th March. This is the letter from CRT Head of Boating Mike Grimes: