Posts Tagged ‘Section 17’

BW release draft mooring strategy proposals

Saturday, February 11th, 2012

BW recently released a draft summary of the Local Mooring Strategy proposals to the Steering Group and the representatives of unaffiliated boaters on the Group responded to these draft proposals this week. BW has asked for responses from Steering Group members prior to putting the finalised proposals out to consultation. Watch out for boaters’ meetings soon to make sure you have your say about it. BW’s summary of the proposals and the unaffiliated boaters’ response is below.

Latest information on BW’s “CC Procedure”

Monday, January 30th, 2012

After a delay of around 15 months BW has finally coughed up some information about changes to its “continuous cruising” enforcement procedure.

What to do if you get enforcement letters from BW such as a CC1 or Pre-CC1

Monday, November 21st, 2011

A number of boaters have been served with enforcement letters in the last few months. This has mainly been on stretches of the canal above Devizes. Here is some advice about how to respond to them that we hope will be helpful. You can also download this briefing below as a 4-page leaflet.

Staff picket BW AGM over Directors’ bonuses while boaters question new charity trustees

Saturday, October 29th, 2011

BW directors and members of the public attending the BW AGM on 13 October were greeted by a group of BW employees condemning the “already overpaid directors” £15,000 inflation-busting bonuses as a disgrace while employees pay was not increased. The staff handed out a leaflet asking “are these the people you want to run your charity in future?”.

Graphic designer Simon Greer's take on the new logo

BW Chair says Local Mooring Strategy will not displace people

Sunday, October 23rd, 2011

The tenth meeting of the Local Mooring Strategy Steering Group took place on 11th October at Wiltshire Council offices, Chippenham. Brian has taken over from Kev as one of the representatives of unaffiliated boaters. The agenda was as follows: finalising maps; enforcement and defining neighbourhoods. K and A Manager Mark Stephens chaired the meeting in the absence of Project Manager Damian Kemp. Sally Ash, the original BW Chair, had already informed the group that her presence appeared to be “not conducive to progress”.

Legal challenge to revised mooring guidance expected

Tuesday, October 18th, 2011

A legal challenge to BW’s revised Mooring Guidance for Continuous Cruisers is expected after BW rejected a “letter before claim” from boater Nick Brown. It is likely that Mr Brown will issue Judicial Review proceedings on the grounds that the revised guidance is ultra vires, in other words BW does not have the legal power to enforce it, and that it does not reflect the meaning intended by Parliament of Section 17 3 c ii of the 1995 British Waterways Act.

Our take on BW’s revised Guidance

Friday, October 14th, 2011

BW’s revised Guidance for Boaters Without a Home Mooring follows a meeting with user groups on 23 June. BW has stated that there will be no further consultation or review of this guidance. Guidance for Boaters Without a Home Mooring differs from the draft revision published by BW in April following the judgement in the BW v Davies case.

14 Days or Such Longer Period as is Reasonable in the Circumstances

Monday, September 19th, 2011

A boat without a home mooring may stay for longer than 14 continuous days in one place if it is reasonable in the circumstances, according to the 1995 British Waterways Act. It is advisable to inform BW if you need to do this, and keep them updated of your circumstances and when you expect to leave.

BW Director denies wishing to enforce like Mussolini

Friday, July 22nd, 2011

User groups met BW’s Legal Director Nigel Johnson on 23 June to discuss changes to the Mooring Guidance for Continuous Cruisers following the BW v Paul Davies judgement. NABO, RBOA and the National Bargee Travellers Association (NBTA) were present, as were user groups like the IWA and British Marine Federation that favour BW’s attitude to continuous cruisers. BW Head of Enforcement Denise Yelland and Head of Boating Sally Ash were also present.

Mooring strategy meeting postponed twice

Thursday, July 21st, 2011

The local mooring strategy process appears to be grinding to a halt. The ninth meeting of the steering group, which was to be held in Devizes on June 17th, was postponed because BW decided it would be better to hold it after June 23rd when national user groups were due to meet with BW to “discuss” changes to the Mooring Guidance for Continuous Cruisers following the BW v Davies judgement. If nothing else, this proves that the mooring strategy is designed specifically to target boats without moorings.