The UK’s Number ONE read for all waterways users
TTOWPATH TO
112 PAGES
Issue 166, August 2019
TALK
FREE
NOMINATE YOUR TOP TEAM
P4
AROUND THE REGIONS: Sean McGinley
P15
PONTY CELEBRATIONS
The Bude Canal, spilling out from its mighty lock gates on to the golden sands of Summerleaze Beach, is the start of a new Cool Canals series featuring a towpath journey from Cornwall to the Highlands of Scotland. See page 106. PHOTO: MARTINE O’CALLAGHAN
Boat numbers soar on London’s canals
THE number of boats on London’s canals has reached a record high, new figures have revealed. Boat numbers in the capital have increased 84% since 2012, from 2326 to 4274 in 2019, according to the Canal & River Trust – which looks after waterways including the Regent’s Canal, Grand Union Canal and River Lee.
P23
BOAT PULL ON TV
P24
BOAT REVIEW: TIMELESS P66
BOATS FOR SALE Turn to
On the beach
P73
New city mooring
The figures come from the trust’s annual boat count, which also shows that boats without a home mooring in London have risen 246%, from 638 in 2012 to 2208 this year. CRT is implementing a programme of improvements in a bid to keep up with demand. The trust invests millions of pounds each year to ensure growing
FOURTEEN new visitor mooring rings have been installed just above the Belgrave Lock on the Leicester Line to the north of the city. This location is ideal for access to the National Space Centre and the Victorian pumping station, as well as several supermarkets, but there were previously no moorings for boaters as the towpath is edged in stone on this section of the navigation, with no rings or bollards. The original footpath from the lock through to the local facilities is currently blocked by a residential construction project, but this is nearing completion and it should soon be reinstated.
Summer safety
numbers of people can continue to live on, work on, or visit the waterways in London, spending more than £67,000 this spring and summer on improvements such as increasing the number of mooring spaces, water points and bin facilities. Last year, due to the unprecedented popularity of boating, the trust published its London Mooring Strategy, following
CANAL & River Trust is working with Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service and Mel Goodship, whose son James tragically drowned in Lower Foulridge Reservoir in 2014, to highlight the dangers of swimming in open water this summer. James’ family will unveil two new throwlines and safety signage boards, and a rescue demonstration will take place on the reservoir. Summer is one of the most popular times for people to visit Britain’s canals and rivers, but they can get into difficulties after jumping in to cool down. Of the 400 people who drown in the UK every year, more than half the fatalities happen at inland waters, says CRT.
consultation with boaters, boating groups and local authorities, among others. It outlines a range of ongoing initiatives to help manage the increasing demand for mooring spaces, improving facilities and balancing the needs of everyone who uses the capital’s waters.
Ashby invitation
• Continued on page 2
HISTORIC boats are welcome at the Shackerstone Festival. There is still time to register for the event, which takes place over the weekend of August 31-September 1 on the Ashby Canal. The Ashby Canal was still in use for commercial carrying until the 1970s and ’80s, through the efforts of Ashby Canal Transport. It is appropriate therefore that historic commercial boats continue to use the canal. It’s said that the Ashby Canal is shallow, but dozens of deep-drafted boats get up there every year, so test your skill and take part. Contact Geoff Pursglove on ashby.canal@outlook. com for details and an application form.