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Category: NABO
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NABO is deeply saddened by the loss of its long-term legal advisor and council member, Geoffrey Rogerson, who passed away on the 3rd August after several years of illnesses. He was known as a gentle gentleman by all who met him, with great pride in his own family, and respected by all. But despite this seeming mildness, he was always direct, honest and, when necessary, outspoken. With his deep practical knowledge of matters-legal, Geoffrey made a huge contribution to NABO, leading all aspects of its legal work, closely supported when necessary by the Association’s solicitors. His wise council will be sorely missed.

Geoffrey was born on the 11th May 1934 in London and as a child experienced the horrors of the blitz. After the war, he did his national service as an artillery man, serving in Egypt, and on completion was asked to become a permanent officer. However, he had other plans for what followed and he pursued many interests, travelling widely and, in his latter-years, establishing a specialist car part manufacturing company - reflecting his long-term passion for cars. One of his other passions was golf – at which he excelled, although, according to a long-term friend, he thought the rules were just a set of guidelines and he was reputed to rather play by his own regulations!

A long-term canal (and whisky!) fanatic, his boat on the K&A was one of the very first to travel up the restored Caen Hill flight. And for many years he lived on his boat on the K&A as an active, rule-abiding continuous cruiser, setting a very clear example to all. This always ensured that he could provide NABO’s Council with the best possible guidance on mooring matters. Geoffrey seldom missed a Council meeting, always accompanied by his partner, Belinda.
Mike Rodd

 

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Category: Other Live Issues
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Moorings will be available to purchase for one, two, three or four months from 1st November 2020 until 28th February 2021. Permits will go on sale from 1st October on a first-come, first-served basis. There are seven price bands, based on several factors including;

  • The pricing of nearby moorings;
  • The location of the mooring site;
  • The availability of facilities and services near to the mooring;
  • The level of demand for each site;

The price bands per metre, per month are: 

  • Band 0                £21.00
  • Band 1                £19.00
  • Band 2                £17.00
  • Band 3                £14.70
  • Band 4                £10.90
  • Band 5                £8.70
  • Band 6                £7.10

The mooring price bands have increased by 5% for the highest demand sites, in band 0 and 3% for bands 1-6. Some sites have changed price band in response to the high levels of demand last winter, with popular sites increasing in price but low demand sites have reduced in price.

Go to https://canalrivertrust.org.uk, and search ‘Winter moorings’ for individual mooring locations and prices.

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Category: NN Editorials
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Editor, Peter Fellows, says that, with meetings held by phone or Zoom, it has never been easier to support NABO.

This is the first issue since lockdown ended and it features the widespread dismay by boaters at the state of the infrastructure that they encountered when they restarted cruising. Lack of maintenance and vegetation management were already features of the Boater Survey responses, summarised in this issue, which were given before Covid-19 struck. But Mark Tizard brings the problems up to date, comparing CRT’s PR spin with the reality on the ground. Mike Rodd’s regional report includes his first experience of e-scooters on the towpath and I’ve included a letter on this, written by NABO to CRT’s Chief Operating Officer. Helen Hutt has written her first regional report from the Avon and also reports on a recent elected reps. meeting with CRT’s Head of Boating. Howard Anguish, NABO’s shared ownership rep., has written the first part of an article on shared boating, together with his look back at NABO News 15 years ago. David Fletcher has also been busy while unable to cruise, describing new regulations on fuels for solid-fuel stoves, an update on proposed changes to regulations on the sale of red diesel, and delving into the mysteries of gas testing on boats for BSS certification. I spent part of my lockdown considering what owners might be really saying when they select a name for their boat, to be followed by a second part in December.

Read more: New blood to replace old friends

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Category: EA and others
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Repair-fund black hole closes Hammersmith Bridge | Construction News

In August, the foot and cycle access over the bridge was closed after the summer heat wave made cracks in the cast iron supports deteriorate. Because the risk is of sudden collapse, all navigation on the Thames is closed under the bridge as well. The 133-year-old cast iron suspension bridge in west London was closed to motorists in April last year after the faults were detected.

Hammersmith Bridge is an early design of suspension bridge that crosses the River Thames in west London. It links Barnes on the south side of the river to Hammersmith on the north side. It is mostly used by residents on the south side to access London, and there is no direct alternative.

A Government task force has been launched to co-ordinate the bridge rebuild which will take many years and cost around £150m. The owners are Hammersmith and Fulham Council who obviously don’t have that sort of money. Ongoing investigations have been paid for by Transport for London. Proposals for quick fix for residents include a passenger ferry, or temporary foot and cycle bridge.

None of this helps navigation. So for us there are no Pool of London Passages for the foreseeable future, and no cruise boats operating from Hampton Court to central London. And there will be no University Boat races either.