Meeting of All Party Parliamentary Group for the Waterways: May 2020
A meeting of the APPWG was held on Thursday 14th May using the Zoom videoconferencing facility. NABO attended as observers â the norm for such meetings. This well âattendedâ meeting was chaired by the APPWGâ s Chairman, Michael Fabricant, and very appropriately focused on the need for dedicated financial support for waterways businesses.
Yet More on CO
David Fletcher has news of a study to monitor CO in boats. Carbon monoxide (CO) continues to kill several boaters every year. The BSS requirement for alarms was introduced last year, accompanied by a significant press campaign, but there continue to be incidents, and the number of boats failing examination on this point continues to […]
North West April 2020
I am at Appley Bridge, a suburb of Wigan on the east Lancashire border. There have been signs put up about the limited use of the canal towpath close to me. They have had little effect on towpath footfall as, in my estimation, there is a three- to four-fold increase in its use. A policeman […]
Wales and the South West April 2020
With many boaters safely self-isolating, there is little movement on the canals. It was reported that there were scores of dead fish spotted in the Kennet & Avon in Devizes. The EA said the coronavirus lockdown has resulted in a drop in traffic and activity on the canal, and this has created a series of […]
Meeting with CRTâs Head of Boating
Mike Rodd and Mark Tizard have a catch-up call with Matthew Symonds, CRTâs Head of Boating, joined by his deputy, Rachel Haywood. The main points to emerge were as follows:
Open Letter to Richard Parry
Dear Richard. Following NABOâs recent Council meeting, I have been asked to write to you to raise the following concerns: we appreciate the efforts that CRT is now making to limit the use of the towpath for exercise, specifically in areas where there are moored boats, but we feel more needs to be done. We […]
Mindful of the needs of others
Mike Rodd considers some effects of the pandemic. Like many of our members in self-isolation at home and unable to travel to our boats, it has really come home to us how much the canals and rivers are an essential part of our lives. It also reminds us how precious these waterways are, and how […]
Mostly, but not all about Coronavirus
Editor, Peter Fellows, has news of other developments, even though little is happening on the waterways. The ramifications of the Coronavirus lockdown have dominated the waterway news for nearly eight weeks at the time of writing and these are widely reflected in this issue. CRTâs decision not to close towpaths to visitors initially caused an […]
Coronavirus & boating update, 12 May 2020
The Government has now set out some detail about the first stages of easing the current Coronavirus lockdown. These first steps come in to force tomorrow (Weds 13 May). With a view to boating, your two main questions are likely to be: Can I visit my boat? And, can I go for a cruise on […]
Expired BSS certificates extended to 31 July
The navigation authorities have agreed to further extend the current waiver on BSS Certifications to 31 July 2020. As BSS Examinations have been suspended since late March, there is now a considerable backlog of boats needing to renew their Certifications. We strongly urge those boat owners who can, to book their Examinations as soon as […]