IWA NEWS (LONG) - PART 2
Justin Taberham
International Conference on Historic Canals
A consortium of Voies Navigables de France (the French waterways
authority) and the French Government with support from the European
Union are organising a conference on the revival of historic waterways
from around the world on 10th and 11th May in Toulouse, France. An
impressive array of speakers from America and Europe have been
assembled. Further information can be obtained from Euromapping (David
Edwards-May) by faxing +33 (0) 476 702 806 before 15th April.
Maritime & Coastguard Agency
As from 1st April, the Maritime Safety Agency and the Coastguard Agency
have merged and are now known as the Maritime & Coastguard Agency.
National Waterways Festivals
Worcester is to be the site of the 1999 IWA National Waterways Festival
and Inland Boat Show. This will be the third year that the event has
BMIF as the main sponsor.
The NWF team are slightly concerned that boaters are leaving their
bookings for the Salford Quays Festival until the last minute. Over
2,000 application forms have been issued to boaters which indicates a
large demand, but because the booking procedure is combined with
applications for special rate licences on the different waterways that
boaters might use in getting to the site, it seems that many people are
leaving it late to make their booking and payment.
The Festival organisers are concerned that there may be difficulties in
arranging sufficient moorings if there are too many late bookings and
they are therefore encouraging people to confirm their intention to
attend as soon as possible - even if they delay booking into the various
organised cruises on the way to the Festival until later.
The Manchester Ship Canal Cruise preceding the event is likely to be
exceedingly popular, with more than 100 enquiries already received.
Boaters interested in taking part are again asked to declare their
interest as quickly as possible.
The profit for the 1997 Festival at Henley has been finalised at 51,194
- but this figures excludes NWF Ltd.s company costs.
Restoration Schemes Funding
IWAs Restoration Committee have prepared a detailed funding briefing
for waterway restoration projects which covers the latest information
for National Lottery Funds, Regional Development Agencies, Landfill Tax,
Local Heritage Initiative, Europe and much more. Copies have been
mailed direct to all canal societies and IWA Region Chairmen. Further
copies of the briefing are available from Andy Screen, 23 Hague Bar, New
Mills, HIGH PEAK, SK22 3AT or via IWA Head Office.
Review of Landfill Tax
Amongst the many detailed announcements which accompanied the budget on
17th March was the detailed results of the review of Landfill Tax. So
far as waterways are concerned there is little change. The much fought
for exemption of waterway dredgings from tax remains unaltered. Given
the number of other well presented cases for exemption, many of which
appeared quite justified, the dredgings exemption is by no means
automatic and a number of consultees, including IWA, had strongly
lobbied for its retention.
The Environmental Bodies Scheme - whereby landfill operators can direct
90% of up to 20% of their total annual landfill tax liability to
worthwhile environmental projects - also remains unchanged. Some canal
societies and BW have already benefited from this scheme for waterway
restoration and maintenance works. IWA is studying possible future
funding schemes with BW at the present.
A full copy of HM Customs & Excise Review of Landfill Tax is available
from Justin Taberham at Head Office.
VAT and Inland Waterways Cruising
Following formal notification from the English Sports Council to H M
Customs & Excise, that canal cruising is considered as a sport, canal
cruising has been added to the list of sports activities which qualify
for VAT exemption. The effective date of the change is 6th October,
1997, which is the date of the notification from the Sports Council. HM
Customs & Excise will shortly be updating the relevant VAT notice (No
701/45) to reflect this change.
Water Supplies - Volunteer Lock Keepers
BW are again looking for assistance from volunteer lock keepers at some
of the more sensitive locations for water usage. BW Waterway Managers
will be making approaches to IWA Branch Chairmen in the areas concerned,
or individuals wishing to help can make direct contact with their local
Waterway Manager to ascertain requirements. The function of volunteer
lock keepers is very much to assist and advise where it is appreciated
and not to act as volunteer policeman!
Waterside Developments
Waterside developments are fashionable at present and there are
considerable pressures on BW and local planning authorities to allow new
buildings and refurbishments to go ahead. It is possible that this may
become even more the case if the structure of BW is altered to allow it
be more adventurous in generating income through investment in its
property portfolio and the Governments initiative to re-use
brownfield sites will only add to this.
Whilst BW and local authority planning officers may often have the best
interests of the waterways at heart, the need for user vigilance on
planning applications and local authority and regional plans has never
been greater.
IWA is aware of a number of examples where recent developments have
either displaced, or attempted or threatened to displace, disrupt or
extinguish local boating activity. Even where no development takes
place, BW and other land owners sometimes sell properties with
concessions which, perhaps unwittingly, inhibit boating. Elsewhere,
navigation and other authorities may regulate boating to appease
occupiers of adjoining properties.
The following table is a compilation of instances, some of which
represent battles lost or not fought and some which are on-going and
may have a successful outcome. Our grateful acknowledgements to Keith
Noble and Calder Navigation Society for much of the research. IWA Head
Office would welcome notification of other recent instances which might
be added to the list, along with experiences and knowledge gained, so
that we should be even better prepared for the future.
This topic is almost certain to be an agenda item at the next National
Conference for Waterways Societies at the end of November. IWA is also
intending to strengthen its Environment Panel to increase the pool of
knowledge and expertise of the built environment. Offers of assistance
would be greatly appreciated.
Waterside Developments in Recent Years
Location Waterway Details
Gas Street Basin Birmingham Canal Navigations Proposals to
construct Chinese Junk which would displace residential boats. Rejected
by planning authority.
Battyeford Calder & Hebble Navigation Boat club with dry
dock. Long running dispute with nearby residents
Merry Hill Dudley No1 Canal Casual mooring displaced and
only permitted on offside to facilitate retail and office development.
Bulls Bridge Grand Union Canal Nearly all traces of historic
Grand Union Canal Company offices and workshops destroyed and now
replaced with supermarket development.
Market Harborough Grand Union Canal - Leicester Section Basin
redevelopment requiring closure of basin and end of Market Harborough
Arm to inconvenience of users.
Paddington Basin Grand Union Canal - Paddington Arm Complete
re-development of Basin. Final resolution not yet agreed. London
Region IWA closely involved.
Weedon Grand Union Canal New canalside housing opposite working
boatyard, Complaints from houses to cease long established boat yard
activities.
Bath Kennet & Avon Canal Moorings prohibited by BW alongside
towing path at behest of local residents
Apperley Bridge Leeds & Liverpool Canal Boatyard displaced to
accommodate new housing development. New facilities incorporated but
not taken up because of unresolved problems.
Welshpool Montgomery Canal Proposals to demolish historic
canalside buildings to facilitate construction of supermarket car park.
Under consideration by planning authority.
Banbury Oxford Canal Commercial development to displace working, if
tatty, boatyard of historic significance. Site awarded Heritage Lottery
Fund grant for conversion to museum after IWA/BW/LA intervention.
Battlebridge Basin Regents Canal Many boats moved out of basin to
accommodate waterside development.
Sheffield Sheffield & South Yorkshire Navigation Mixed
development to revitalise the Sheffield end of the Navigation, but
working boatyard displaced.
Chester Shropshire Union Canal Redevelopment of Taylors Boatyard.
Final resolution not yet agreed after protests from the Boat Museum and
local IWA Branch.
Church Minshull Shropshire Union Canal Moorings prohibited by BW
alongside towing path at behest of local residents
Kinver Staffs & Worcs Canal Moorings prohibited by BW alongside
towing path at behest of local residents
Wolverley Lock Staffs & Worcs Canal Pub has appropriated moorings
alongside lock to detriment of operational safety.
Sandford River Thames Off line boat moorings removed to
facilitate hotel development.
E & OE. Information of additions and corrections would be very welcome.
Basingstoke Canal
Rainfall for February and early March has been below the seasonal
average and water supplies for the Basingstoke Canal are below the mean
flows for the period. Although there is still a little time for heavy
rainfall to raise groundwater levels and hence to increase flows into
the Canal, it looks likely that reduced water supplies will force lock
closures by early June.
Great Ouse
The Environment Agency have advised that because of increasing silt
deposits in the tidal Ouse, navigation between Denver Lock and Salters
Lode is unlikely to be possible on the following days:
April 5, 6, 20, 21
May 4, 5 ,6
June 3, 4, 5
July 2, 3, 4, 5
August 1, 2, 3, 4, 30, 31
September 1, 2, 29, 30
October 1, 28, 29, 30
There is a possibility that factors may be changed by weather conditions
on the day and boaters are advised to telephone the lock keepers at
Denver (01366 382340) or Salters Lode (01366 382292) for further
information.
Also due to high levels of silt in the river, it appears extremely
unlikely that any further passages of boats from the tidal river through
Old Bedford Sluice and into the Old Bedford River will be possible in
the near future.
IWA has repeatedly lobbied for remedial works to be carried out to
resolve these problems. We are given to understand that the situation
has been exacerbated by low river flows during the winter which have
failed to scour silt out to sea in flood conditions.
Kennet & Avon Canal
The Kennet & Avon Canal Trust have launched a new fund raising scheme
where people are invited to adopt a length or one of the historical
structures on the Canal. The purpose of the scheme is to help the Trust
raise the 50,000 per year it has committed itself to as part of the
Heritage Lottery Fund grant aided 5 year plan of remedial works on the
Canal. Further details of the scheme are available from the Adoption
Secretary at the Canal Trusts office (Tel: 01380 721279).
Montgomery Canal
A third planning application has been submitted by Safeway Foodstores
PLC for their supermarket development at Welshpool. Like the 2nd
application, this latest version also proposes the demolition of
historic buildings alongside the Montgomery Canal and is different only
in that it adds a landscaping scheme. However, as it is an entirely
separate application, all the previous objections to the local authority
have had to be repeated by IWA and local interests.
The Montgomery Canal is particularly important because of the survival
of so many of its original construction features and associated
buildings. The application proposes the demolition of the lock cottage,
wharf office, canal stable block and other canal cottages, merely to
make room for additional car parking for the supermarket.
An appeal has been lodged in respect of the first planning application
by Safeway Foodstores PLC, against the failure of the Local Planning
Authority to give a decision within 8 weeks of that application. A
public enquiry has been announced to hear the appeals and will commence
on 14th July.
River Severn
The inaugural meeting of the Severn Boatowners Association was held at
Upton on Severn on 15th March and a steering committee formed until the
Associations first AGM to be held in the Autumn.
The Association is being set up along the lines of the Trent Boatowners
Association with a specific remit to represent boat owners on the River
Severn, some of whom feel they are getting a poor service from BW.
Details can be obtained from Mr Phil Howe, 23 Fairfield Lane, Wolverley,
KIDDERMINSTER, DY11 5QH - Tel: 01562 851496.
Severn Estuary
New safety guidance notes have been prepared for Small Boat Passage of
the Severn Estuary. The notes are issued jointly by Gloucester Harbour
Trustees, BW, Bristol Port Company and Bristol City Docks in
consultation with IWA, RYA, HM Coastguard and the Marine Safety Agency.
Copies of the notes are available from BW Gloucester and Devizes
waterway offices, Sharpness Port office (Tel: 01453 811862 - Fax: 01453
811863) and the Harbour Master at Bristol City Docks.
Stourbridge and Dudley Canals
The major canal diversion works at Merry Hill have further over run
because of emergency repairs to an underground culvert at Merry Hill.
The canals, from Blowers Green Lock to the bottom of Stourbridge 16 are
now due to re-open on about 6th April.
River Tees
With the demise at the end of March of the Tees Development Corporation,
a new navigation authority is needed for the Upstream River Tees and the
Tees Barrage. It is understood that BW are favoured to take over the
navigation, but that Government are concerned at the potential liability
in the unlikely event of failure of the barrage.
For the present, the River Tees is being transferred, on a temporary
basis, to The Commission for New Towns and the current Rivermaster will
continue in office, operating from the barrage. IWA are represented on
the User Forum for the River.
River Thames - Docklands
The Port of London Authority have announced that they are drawing up
plans to provide moorings for up to three cruise ships on the Meridian
Line at Greenwich. The moorings will be in addition to the new
Greenwich Meridian Cruise Terminal opposite the Cutty Sark and the
National Maritime Museum and three moorings upstream in the Pool of
London. The moorings on the Meridian Line are expected to be capable of
handling vessels up to 150 metres in length and 6 metres draft.
River Thames - Inland Shipping
The first purpose-built tug for Thames lighterage for more than 30 years
was brought into service by Cory Environmental earlier this year. The
tug will be used in transporting waste and servicing the Corporation of
London and six London Boroughs. Cory currently carries 600,000 tons of
waste - approximately 20% of the Londons total municipal waste - saving
400 lorry movements per day on Londons streets. IWAs Inland Shipping
Group has long campaigned that considerably more freight, especially
waste and bulk materials could and should be carried on the River.
On 2nd March, a 71,000 Freight Facilities Grant was announced for
Medway Shipping Ltd towards the cost of providing a barge to carry
building sand between Essex and Central London.
River Thames - Lock Enlargements
Members of the Environment Agencys Regional Fisheries Advisory
Committee for Thames Region have again expressed concern over the fact
that the lock enlargement programmes which were supposed to have been
met from the 25% increase in licence fees which had been agreed, have
failed to take place since the first enlargement at Hambleden Lock in
1994.
The Committee viewed the matter as a "flagrant breach of promise over
the years with regard to navigation charges"; a view which is strongly
supported by IWA and other major user groups on the Thames. The
Chairman of the Agency, Lord de Ramsey, is due to meet members of the
Committee in May to discuss the matter.
At its January meeting, the Committee also endorsed the view frequently
expressed by IWA and other Thames user groups that any further cuts to
the Agencys Navigation Capital Schemes or Levels of Service were
"simply unacceptable".
River Thames - Passenger Services
On 16th March the Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, announced 21
million worth of investment in passenger transport services on the River
Thames as part of the Governments Thames 2000 initiative. This
initiative was first announced in July 1997 and aims to use river
services to the Millennium celebrations at Greenwich as a catalyst to
revitalise passenger services on the Thames.
Just under 15 million is to be invested in new piers at Blackfriars and
Waterloo with the existing piers at Tower and Westminster being
refurbished. Over 6m of this cost, just under half, is coming from the
Millennium Commissioners. A further 6 million is to be invested in new
ferries by City Cruises PLC and White Horse Fast Ferries who have been
chosen as the preferred bidders to run the new passenger transport
service. The key central London piers will be managed by London River
Services Ltd, a subsidiary of London Transport.
Trent & Mersey Canal
Church Lawton Lock No 47 is to be padlocked from dusk to dawn to prevent
usage after dark until further notice. This follows "recent abuse" of
the locks in the flight which has caused property damage to neighbours
beside the Canal.
River Wey
The "Cartbridge" which carries the A247 over the Wey Navigation at Send
is being reconstructed by contractors to Surrey County Council. To
enable the work to proceed, the navigable width at that point will be
reduced to 4.4 metres (14 foot 5 inches) except for a single four week
period (date to be advised by the contractors) when the clear navigable
width will be reduced to 3.25 metres (10 foot 8 inches).
Throughout the full 34 weeks whilst the construction is in progress
(until 19th October), there may be interruptions to navigation of up to
2 hours duration, but after each such period there should be an
uninterrupted period of 1 hour.
Summary of Current Consultations
From Subject Submission Date
British Waterways Short Term Boat Licences 6th April
Dept Environment T&R Proposed Groundwater Regulations 14th April
Dept Environment T&R The Future of Regional Planning Guidance 17th
April
Dept Environment T&R Opportunities for Change 29th May
Dept Environment T&R Access to the Countryside 4th June
Environment Agency Wey LEAP (includes Basingstoke Canal) 10th
April
Environment Agency Derbyshire Derwent LEAP (covers Derby) 30th
April
Environment Agency River Cam LEAP 5th May
Environment Agency River Lune LEAP 15th May
Environment Agency Warwickshire Avon LEAP 31st May
Environment Agency North Essex LEAP (incl. Chelmer & Stour) 1st
June
Environment Agency West Midlands Stour LEAP 15th June
A response to LEAP consultation has recently been submitted for North
Cornwall area, which covers part of the Bude Canal.
IWAs main areas for concern were issues associated with the Bude Canal
and recognition of its value for industrial archaeology and recreation.
IWA has provided a comprehensive response to the Environment Agencys
Southern Region Water Related Recreation Strategy. Generally, the
document was considered to be good in highlighting most of the
navigation and recreation issues in the Agencys Southern Region and was
moderately positive concerning existing navigations and restoration
schemes for the Chichester, Wey & Arun, Thames & Medway, Titchfield
Haven and Royal Military Canals. However, we have suggested that the
Agency should be a little more proactive in encouraging and facilitating
restoration projects, including in particular the Wey & Arun Canal. The
report also admitted some of the funding shortfalls for navigation,
particularly on the River Medway, and for recreation which have long
been a concern to the Association. IWAs response encouraged further
consultation with users and improved recreational facilities as well as
issuing the usual cautionary note concerning cycling on towing paths.
IWA has also provided a detailed submission following publication of the
Environment Agencys Annual Conservation, Access and Recreation Report.
We were particularly disappointed to see how little navigation featured
within the report. Whilst welcoming a number of initiatives from the
Agency, IWA remains deeply concerned at the continuing lack of
investment in capital works and vital maintenance on the Agencys
navigations.
Further details on any of the above consultations are available from
Justin Taberham at Head Office.
--
Justin Taberham
Operations Manager
Inland Waterways Association
Andy Greener
Justin Taberham <jus...@waterway.demon.co.uk> writes:
>
> VAT and Inland Waterways Cruising
>
> Following formal notification from the English Sports Council to H M
> Customs & Excise, that canal cruising is considered as a sport, canal
> cruising has been added to the list of sports activities which qualify
> for VAT exemption. The effective date of the change is 6th October,
> 1997, which is the date of the notification from the Sports Council. HM
> Customs & Excise will shortly be updating the relevant VAT notice (No
> 701/45) to reflect this change.
Does this mean an exemption for BW cruising licence fees? Anything else?
Andy Greener, UWhitchurch-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, UK
an...@gid.co.uk or an...@ist.co.uk or 0118 956 1248
Bruce Peckett
On 17 Apr 1998 13:20:24 -0000, jus...@waterway.demon.co.uk (Justin
Taberham) wrote:
>Trent & Mersey Canal
>
>Church Lawton Lock No 47 is to be padlocked from dusk to dawn to prevent
>usage after dark until further notice. This follows "recent abuse" of
>the locks in the flight which has caused property damage to neighbours
>beside the Canal.
>
This sounds worrying .... can you furnish more details Justin? Is the
"recent abuse" a case of vandalism or does it involve the legitimate
passage of boats?
I reckon that we need to be extremely vigilant in protecting boating
at night - lets face it, life would be a lot easier for BW if boats
were only allowed to move during working hours! Closures such as that
aboce could easily be the thin end of the wedge if we're not careful.
--
Regards
Bruce Peckett
Half Cut - Contemporary folk music & fun from the canals of England.
Reply to: bru...@halfcut.demon.co.uk Website: http://www.halfcut.demon.co.uk
Dr Sean Neill
> >Church Lawton Lock No 47 is to be padlocked from dusk to dawn to prevent
> >
> "recent abuse" a case of vandalism or does it involve the legitimate
> passage of boats?
>
> I reckon that we need to be extremely vigilant in protecting boating
> at night - lets face it, life would be a lot easier for BW if boats
> Bruce Peckett
It seems critical whether this a standard BW key or (as is probable)
one boaters can't open.
Sean
A Lawton
At 19:50 19/04/98 GMT, you wrote:
>On 17 Apr 1998 13:20:24 -0000, jus...@waterway.demon.co.uk (Justin
>Taberham) wrote:
>
>>Trent & Mersey Canal
>>
>>the locks in the flight which has caused property damage to neighbours
>>beside the Canal.
>>
>"recent abuse" a case of vandalism or does it involve the legitimate
>passage of boats?
>
>I reckon that we need to be extremely vigilant in protecting boating
>at night - lets face it, life would be a lot easier for BW if boats
>aboce could easily be the thin end of the wedge if we're not careful.
>--
>Regards
>Bruce Peckett
>Half Cut - Contemporary folk music & fun from the canals of England.
>Reply to: bru...@halfcut.demon.co.uk Website: http://www.halfcut.demon.co.uk
>
Regards, Andrew.
Never underestimate the Power of human stupidity
Bruce Peckett
On 20 Apr 1998 19:14:40 -0000, and...@testudo.u-net.com (A Lawton)
wrote:
>>I reckon that we need to be extremely vigilant in protecting boating
>>at night - lets face it, life would be a lot easier for BW if boats
>>were only allowed to move during working hours! Closures such as that
>>aboce could easily be the thin end of the wedge if we're not careful.
>>--
>Who wants to move at night? The pubs are open!
>
Ah yes, but what about after they close? :-)
Being serious, what;s the definition of "at night"?
Dawn until dusk sounds fine in July but what about in December? Oh
yes, I forgot, who would want to go boating in December?
Mike Stevens
A Lawton wrote:
> Who wants to move at night? The pubs are open!
Only until 11 pm (or thereabouts)!
Anyway, when does "night" end? I remember when we were first bringing
our present boat home from the builders in the Black Country our first
full day started well before dawn. We decided there was no point
waiting for daylight as the first part of the day's boating was through
Netherton tunnel.
Mike Stevens
nb Felis Catus II
Michael J Wooding
In article <353bc07d...@news.demon.co.uk>, Bruce Peckett
<bpec...@halfcut.demon.co.uk> writes
>Dawn until dusk sounds fine in July but what about in December? Oh
>yes, I forgot, who would want to go boating in December?
I seem to remember quite a few of us Bruce - even Badger I understand
moved :->
Mike
--
Michael J Wooding - sans bateaux
NABO Webmaster http://www.clearlight.com/~nabo
email: na...@clearlight.com
The Cutpics site: http://www.vhfcomm.co.uk/cutpics.htm
The Springer Owners Club site: http://www.vhfcomm.co.uk/springer.htm
Colin Shepherd
>
Who wants to move at night? The pubs are open!
Regards, Andrew.
Never underestimate the Power of human stupidity
Assuming we are not blocked in by lock closures the only way we can
get any decent cruising between late autumn and late spring is by
moving in the dark either in the morning or evening.
**********************************
*
Colin Shepherd *
*
Finance Officer *
London Business School *
*
Tel (44) 0171 262 5050 *
Fax (44) 0171 724 7875 *
E-mail C.SHE...@lbs.lon.ac.uk *
**********************************