Chair’s column Sept 22
A critical time for the canals Mike Rodd is concerned about the very existence of some of our waterways. This is THE most critical time – not only for the future of the present canal operators, the Canal and River Trust – but indeed for the whole future of our amazing waterways. I was shaken […]
CRT announce plan to reopen northern canals as water becomes available
CRT have made this annoucment Following 2022’s drought, which forced the closure to navigation of several canals in the north of the country, the Canal & River Trust is planning ‘windows’ of canal reopening over the coming weeks. In most instances this will allow boating over the October half term and up to the start […]
CRT launch customer service facility minimum standards consultation
We have heard from CRT that they have launched the first stage of their consultation on customer service facilities (CSF). This consultation is focused on helping agree a minimum standard of CSF that the Trust will provide. The standard will include; The type of facilities that would be considered the minimum standard of essential and […]
CRT water restrictions update
CRT have issued this press release update on 15 August. here CRT have issued this 2 August. There is more information on the northern canals here: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/news-and-views/news/an-update-on-northern-water-levels
CRT – Changes to boat licence fees
CRT say this on 2 August 2022 In light of soaring inflation, which is impacting the costs required to keep the waterways safe and navigable, the Canal & River Trust is today announcing an inflationary rise of 4% in boat licence fees from 1 October 2022. This is in conjunction with cost saving measures that […]
Energy support scheme.
The Government’s much publicised £400 Energy Support Scheme has so far not been available to boaters or other off grid users. It is administered though the energy providers. If you have no domestic electricity or gas supply, then you don’t get it. There has been a campaign to include off-grid households. It is obviously discriminatory […]
CRT launch a “Boater Census”
The Canal & River Trust is launching the first ever Boater Census and is asking every boat licence holder to take part and help paint a picture of who boats on the charity’s waterways. The Boater Census has been designed with input from boater representatives on the Trust’s Council to help understand the different needs […]
Waterways Ombudsman Annual Reports for 2021/22.
The Waterways Ombudsman and the Waterways Ombudsman Committee issue Annual Reports for 2021/22. This is the third annual report of the current Ombudsman, Sarah Daniel. During the year, the Ombudsman received 63 enquiries, 51 of which were directly about the Canal & River Trust, one was about the Avon Navigation Trust, the others about bodies […]
Messing about on the … Mon & Brec
Mike Rodd contemplates future CRT funding, BSS examinations and ‘composite’ lock-gates during an extended cruise. How good it was to have another real meeting at Alvechurch, even if a few folk couldn’t make it – damn nuisance this boating! Good to see the pub flourishing and many boats moving. But strangely on the K&A we are […]
A focus on BSS (and our forgotten anniversary!)
A focus on BSS (and our forgotten anniversary!) The extended period of hot, dry weather has continued and, as predicted in the last issue, the more vulnerable canals are now seeing closures due to water shortages – particularly the Peak Forest and Macclesfield canals. Helen Hutt and Mark Tizard both comment on the lack of […]
