Dates
CRT boater election voting starts
08.02.2012
IWA conference on CRT
18.02.2012
Birmingham
BBS Technical Committee
20.02.2012
Hatton
NABO Council
03.03.2012 10:45 -
CRT boater election voting closes
09.03.2012
Reference Press Releases WC Surveys PR
| WC Surveys PR |
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OUR CASH STRAPPED CANALS– A CATASTROPHE IN WAITING Lack of cash could endanger the safety of all who use or live near our canals and rivers, a recent survey confirmed. Two surveys by the National Association of Boat Owners (NABO), in association with the Residential Boat Owners Association (RBOA) and The Boating Association, show that experienced boaters who use the waterways feel that we should be seriously concerned at the state of the system. Despite assurances from British Waterways (BW) Chief Executive, Robin Evans that ‘the network is now in better shape than at any time in decades’, the majority of boaters disagreed and felt that the system had declined since last year. In contrast they felt more positive about the waterways that are managed by other agencies. They reported a lack of necessary maintenance by BW which created serious safety issues including worn lock spindles, boats caught on damaged brickwork in locks and shallow moorings which leave boaters jumping across stretches of water to reach unrepaired and badly maintained banks. 85% encountered broken equipment which endangers users and visitors. The list of concerns reported to NABO also includes rubbish dumped in the waterways system, weeds blocking the canals, breaches and leaks threatening homes and businesses and 57% reported more badly damaged bridges. More and more people are choosing to take their holidays in the UK and some of these ‘staycationers’ take to the waterways in search of a tranquil holiday. Costs to boaters continue to increase well above inflation and the survey discovered that this causes concern to 85% of boaters and boating businesses. NABO chairman, David Fletcher commented “This detailed survey of boaters shows the level of concern. These people know what they are talking about; they have over 7,000 YEARS worth of boating experience. The people who run British Waterways have very little – there are no boat owners on the BW board. We hope the government will heed the warning that a lack of preventative maintenance is threatening the future of one of the UK’s most treasured resources. A £30 million annual underfunding cannot continue indefinitely without catastrophic consequences.” Ends For further information contact David Fletcher, NABO Chairman
RBOA, the Residential Boat Owners Association: http://rboa.org.uk At the beginning of September, NABO sent invitations to their own members and members of RBOA (Residential Boat Owners Association), TBA (The Boating Association), IWA (Inland Waterways Association), DBA (The Barge Association) and SOW (Save Our Waterways), other waterway-related organisations and other boat owners and hirers through Internet forums and newsgroups. The surveys closed on November 15th 2009. There were two surveys; the Executive Summaries, full reports and presentations are available on the NABO website.
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