Time to cut the grass?
Time to cut the grass? Last year I wrote a long article about towpath mowing (‘One man went to mow’, Issue 4, July 2020). I write now with an update. CRT and the Navigation Advisory Group (NAG) have worked on the mowing regimes over the last 12 months to improve the mapping on the towpath […]
NABO responds to CRT Terms and Conditions
NABO has written today to CRT asking them to delay the introduction of the revised terms (for private boat licences), until they have been consulted. The letter reads: NABO is naturally disappointed that in the six months since our submission to CRT the Trust has made no effort to respond to the detailed points raised […]
CRT pull a rabbit out a hat.
CRT have this week published their intended wording for boat licence terms and conditions. This follows a consultation in 2020. There is also a report on the consultation. You can read the details here: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/news-and-views/news/weve-updated-our-boat-licence-terms-and-conditions CRT unhelpfully say “After such a positive and constructive response to the consultation with respondents largely recognising the purpose and […]
Worcs and B’ham stoppages
Birmingham University train station is undergoing redevelopment, which requires a series of 29-hour closures of the canal and towpath. This is to enable large sections of the station building framework and canal footbridge to be lifted across the canal. The stoppages will be between 00.30 on Sundays and 05.00 on Mondays on the following dates: 27th […]
London moorings strategy – a London boater’s perspective
Simon Robbins concludes that limited progress has been made. NABO’s response to the London congestion consultation was that CRT is seeking to introduce new changes without first implementing, and assessing the impact of, the changes promised in the 2018 strategy. Here, Simon, a former NABO Council member and London liveaboard boater, reports in detail on […]
CRT’s London strategy – NABO’s response
In this paper, NABO is responding to CRT’s recent consultation and Zoom meetings, seeking suggestions from boaters to further address congestion, principally in the London area. For several years, CRT sought views via the Boater Relationship Group and subsequently, when this collapsed, it facilitated meetings that resulted in the publication of its London Strategy document […]
Paper or electronic NABO News?
At its last meeting, NABO Council discussed the cost of printing and posting NABO News and a possible electronic version of the magazine. This would have a ‘page-flip’ feature so that it can be easily read on a computer or tablet screen. Opinions were divided between keeping the current printed format on the grounds that […]
Red diesel to remain on the inland waterways.
At the budget in March, the Chancellor of the Exchequer agreed that boaters can continue to use red diesel with the customary declarations on tax split. You may recall that the Treasury held a consultation at the end of 2020, and NABO responded as we reported in the October NN. We are delighted that the […]
Waterways Chaplaincy
Peter Braybrook explains how this organisation helps boaters in need. The Waterways Chaplaincy is a growing network of around 100 volunteers serving the Inland Waterways from York to Woking and Llangollen to the Wash. Wherever you are, you can contact a chaplain through the website contact form at www.waterwayschaplaincy.org.uk/contact-us. I am based in Banbury on […]
The waterways and ‘building back better’
Helen Hutt reports on a Zoom meeting of The All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Waterways in December. This was my first experience of the APPWG and it was more interesting than anticipated! Chaired by Michael Fabricant MP, there were three good presentations from Richard Parry, CRT; Adrian Main, Avon Navigation Trust; and John Packham, Broads […]
