New boater surveys

CRT’s annual Boaters’ Survey has been shortened and renamed the ‘Perceptions of the Trust’ survey, which was sent out to a third of the Trust’s leisure boat licence holders at the start of April. It has also introduced a monthly ‘Waterway Experience’ survey of boaters to gather up-to-date feedback on the waterways they cruise. The aim is to ‘get a much clearer picture of what’s affecting boaters as it happens and react quickly to improve boaters’ experience.’ Jon Horsfall said: “Boaters are the eyes and ears of the waterways and are often the first to come across any problems. It will enable us to be more responsive and target our maintenance and repair work on the areas that really need it throughout the year.” The survey will be sent to a sample of boaters sighted on each waterway region every month. Volunteer lock-keepers will also give hire-boaters postcards with survey details at various key sites.

Loss of facilities

The boaters’ facilities at Newbold on Avon on the North Oxford canal have closed and all ex-BWML marinas have now stopped offering free facilities to passing boaters. A statement from BWML Sawley Marina read: ‘Since BWML’s affiliation with The Trust is no longer, we aren’t obliged to provide facilities to passing boaters. However, we will be introducing a charge for cassette emptying, allowing passing boaters to still make use of facilities but at a cost of £2 per cassette. Please also be aware that our pump-out charge will be increased to £20 instead of £15. These charges will come into effect from 1^st February 2019.’ NABO would like all members to report details of where you find facilities have disappeared. NABO supports the IWA stance on having a minimum distance between free facilities and would like to build a nationwide picture of the areas that are facilities deserts.