Community Boat

New community boat craned into the canal at Milton Keynes

On Wednesday 5th May, Electra the all-electric community boat was craned into the Grand Union Canal, just south of Milton Keynes.

Electra travelled almost 50 miles by low loader from Colecraft Ltd, the Warwickshire boatyard where she was built, arriving at the Willowbridge Marina where careful preparations had been made to lift the 16-ton craft into the water.

Commissioned by the Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust, Electra will be based at Campbell Wharf; Trust volunteers will run public trips and private charter cruises along the Grand Union Canal, giving residents and visitors a different view of Milton Keynes.

Following the relaxation of the government’s COVID-19 restrictions and successful ‘sea trials’, Electra is now open for business.

Lead Cabin Host, James Clifton said: “Guests may now choose from several public trip and private charter options, cruising along the Grand Union Canal in Milton Keynes.

“Now that our crews are fully trained and qualified, we are excited by the prospect of launching our first public cruises in early August.

“Electra is well-ventilated and designed for up to 12 guests on board, but we accept government advice to ‘proceed with caution’ with regard to COVID-19 and will start by taking a maximum of 8 guests per cruise” James explained. “Electra is a brand-new fully electric, 54-foot narrowboat, crewed by trained volunteers from the Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust. It is accessible, with a lift and lavatory that can accommodate a standard size wheelchair.”

Cruises depart from Campbell Wharf and last between 1 -2 hours during August. Full details, including booking instructions, can be found at https:// wwwbmkwaterway.org/mkcommunityboatelectra/

Cruises include: Relax on the Art Trail, Cream Tea, and Fish & Bubbles Public Trips are two-hour cruises from Campbell Wharf to Linford Wharf and return. Fish & Bubbles tickets are Adult only.

Family Eye-Spy Cruises last 75 minutes and run from Campbell Wharf to

Milton Keynes Marina and return.

Family WOW (Walk One Way) Cruises are run in conjunction with the

Canal & River Trust and combine a 60-minute cruise with an easy 90minute guided walk along the towpath.

Two-hour Private Charters are from Campbell Wharf to Linford Wharf and return.

Gill Prince Photography

The Inland Waterways Association is a non-profit distributing company limited by guarantee. Registered in England No 612245. Registered as a charity No 212342. Registered Office: Island House, Moor Rd, Chesham, HP5 1WA. Phone No 01494 783453.