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Issue 140, June 2017
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MEET OUR 2016 WINNER P4 NEW ARRIVAL ON THE CUT P2
WHERE’S THE UGLY P5 DUCKLING? Boaters and walkers on the Audlem flight of locks on the Shropshire Union Canal – the waterways should be a place for all to enjoy.
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BOAT SHARE SHOW SUCCESS P16
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Voluntary code aims to encourage mutual respect among waterway users
THE Residential Boat Owners’ Association (RBOA) has developed a voluntary Code of Good Practice aimed at making the waterways a place for all to enjoy. It is calling on its members and other interested waterway users, whether on water or on land, to consider others and take responsibility for their actions.
Winter stoppages
A spokesman said: “We often read or hear about a lack of mutual understanding, both between boaters themselves and between them and other users of our waterways, sometimes leading to one group blaming another for some of the unrest on the waterways. “There is also a perceived lack of
BOATERS have until Friday, June 16 to comment on the Canal & River Trust’s draft winter stoppage plans. Throughout 2017-18 it intends to spend £26.9 million on dredging and repairs to bridges and embankments. There will also be work at 11 reservoir sites and other works, costing £17.4 million, will include replacing 180 lock gates, up from 166 last year. After a review boaters will then have a further chance to comment before finalised plans are published at the end of the summer. The draft winter maintenance programme can be found at www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/winter
Boat count
respect for our environment, both the natural environment of our canals and rivers, and also the built environment, which encompasses a great deal of the heritage of our waterways.” In an effort to encourage its members and other users to act responsibly by setting a good example to others,
THE Canal & River Trust’s annual national boat count showed an increase of 339 boats – more than 9% – on the London waterways with numbers in the central East, South West and South East regions also rising. Boat numbers in the North, North Wales and Midlands saw a slight drop. Licence evasion fell by 0.7% overall in the past year to 3.7%, with 96.3% of boats holding up-to-date licences. Completed in March, the survey provides a snapshot of licence evasion, the trust having removed 101 boats which were unlicensed or in breach of terms and conditions.
RBOA has drawn up this brief Code of Good Practice, which, as well as going some way to addressing the above points, encourages those with many years’ experience on the waterways to share their knowledge and skills with newcomers. • Continued on page 2
Skipton success
BIGGER crowds were attracted to the 16th annual Skipton Waterways Festival, writes Geoff Wood. Attendances were boosted by those who had watched the Tour de Yorkshire cycle race in the town. Festival organiser Zoe Clarke said: “We had more people this year and we were lucky with the weather. As soon as the Tour de Yorkshire riders went through Skipton, crowds of people came down to the waterways festival.” One of the highlights was an illuminated parade of boats on Sunday night. The festival was organised by the family-run boat hire company Pennine Cruisers.