IWA Press Release - Yorkshire Ouse

[Neil Edwards]

IWA AND BMIF REACH AGREEMENT WITH
BRITISH WATERWAYS ON YORKSHIRE OUSE

The Inland Waterways Association (IWA) and the British Marine Industries
Federation (BMIF) have today formally withdrawn their objections to
British Waterways application to become the Competent Harbour Authority
on the Yorkshire Ouse between Goole and Selby. This follows the receipt
of a legal undertaking from British Waterways (BW) to both IWA and BMIF
not to apply compulsory pilotage on vessels under 30 metres in length
with the sole exceptions of boats carrying dangerous cargoes and fare
paying passengers.

Both IWA and BMIF had objected to BWs application for Competent Harbour
Authority status under the 1987 Pilotage Act, made last year, because of
the risk that future BW management might enforce compulsory pilotage on
full length narrow boats, Dutch Barges and similar comparatively small
vessels on the River. The undertaking given by BW is a legally binding
assurance that this will not happen.

IWA National Chairman, Mrs Audrey Smith, said "We are very pleased that
a sensible compromise has been reached with British Waterways on this
issue. We fully accepted British Waterways desire to become Competent
Harbour Authority on this stretch of the Yorkshire Ouse to help
safeguard navigation structures for everyones benefit - but it was
important that proper safeguards were built in to the legal mechanisms
to protect our members in the future."

Mrs Smith added "This is another example of IWA working closely together
with the BMIF for the benefit of boaters, the marine trade and the
general public. Once again quiet negotiations with a navigation
authority and a lot of behind the scenes work on everyones part have
produced the right answer for a situation which needed to be addressed.
Much of the work of IWA and BMIF is done this way, without undue drama,
and we welcome the positive attitude of BWs North East Region which
allowed a satisfactory resolution to be reached."

-ends-

Notes for Editors:

For 50 years the Inland Waterways Association, and its thousands of
members, have campaigned in the face of Government indifference for the
retention, restoration, conservation and development of Britain's
navigable canals and rivers.

The IWA believes that canals and rivers should be used for commercial
and leisure boating and many other activities including educational
activity, canoeing, angling and towpath walking. It seeks to preserve
the ecological, heritage and architectural aspects of the country's
inland waterways for all.

The IWA has encouraged and supported many restoration groups over the
years leading to 500 miles of waterways being successfully restored to
navigation and a similar mileage where restoration schemes are active or
pending.

--
Neil Edwards