HM Treasury consultation on white vs red diesel
The consultation on the proposed imposition of white diesel for propulsion on waterways closes on the 1st October. NABO has now responded and the document is here. Needless to say we have objected to everything they propose, which we see as flawed at every turn. It is the same message we have been giving for […]
PR Spin and the reality
Mark Tizard asks if it’s now the time for CRT to stop the constant PR spin and admit that they are beginning to lose the maintenance battle. When navigation restarted in July, I thought we’d need to take account of potential water shortages when planning our cruising routes. Little did we realise that infrastructure failures […]
Fuel for solid-fuel stoves
DEFRA has published its intentions over solid fuels, coal and wood, which are proposed to become the Air Quality (Domestic Solid Fuels Standards) (England) Regulations 2020, coming into force on 1st May 2021. The legislation will need to be debated in both Houses of Parliament before it comes into force, but the dates for these debates […]
CRT winter moorings
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 […]
Geoffrey Rogerson
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 […]
Back on board, but…..
Chair, Mike Rodd is enjoying cruising again, despite the lack of maintenance and e-scooters. Boating at last! For many of us, it was a great joy to be able to get back boating again and for me also to resume being a Boatmaster for the K&A Canal Trust’s trip-boat, the ‘Rose of Hungerford’. Given that […]
New blood to replace old friends
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 […]
Hammersmith Bridge closed to navigation.
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 […]
Toddbrook rebuild latest
The Canal and River Trust have made known details of their alternative overflow solutions to the dam construction. It was the overflow ‘spillway’ feature that failed during heavy weather in 2019. The proposals would restore the dam face to grassy slope with overflow provided in new channels to the River Goyt. A consultation process has […]
In praise of the coal boats
Mark Tizard celebrates their essential service to boaters. As a boater with some 35 years’ experience, I have never known a situation where coal boats have been so essential. Whilst all around them movements ground to a halt and marinas closed as the pandemic tightened its grip, it’s the coal boats that kept the system […]