The NRA Navigations Thames Anglian The legislation which gives the N RA its NRA EMERGENCY HOTLINE various navigation responsibilities also gives Southern the N R A powers to charge vessels using its’ 80 70 60 1 emergency telephone line waters. The N R A does this by a system of 0 registration and licensing. Classes and Awarded for exccllcnce. categories exist for every type of vessel; powered craft, unpowered craft - canoes, kayaks and dinghies, houseboats, and also for NRA HEAD OFFICE Rivers House commercial craft. Waterside Drive Most craft pay an annual fee, but for Aztec West visitors or occasional use a range of short Almondsbury term licences are available. Bristol BS12 4UD For historical reasons the registration/ Tel-01454 624400 licensing schemes differ in each N RA Region NRA Na< 24409 Other N and every vessel m ust be registered with NRA Re; the appropriate Region of the NRA. Englond Failure to do so may result in prosecution < and a fine. E n v ir o n m e n t A g e n c y Income raised from craft registration, E together with Government Grant-in-Aid (GIA) is spent on improving and maintaining NATIONAL LIBRARY & the navigation fairway and structures, INFORMATION SERVICE and providing facilities such as sewage disposal, water points and electricity charging SOUTHERN REGION points.

There arc other rules of the river which a Guildbourne House. Chatsworth Road, vessel must adhere to; these can include the Worthing, West Sussex BN 11 1LD speed of your boat and how you must display your licence. It is advisable to become familiar with the local byelaws governing each navigation. These are available from the appropriate NRA Regional Office. NRA THAMES JION Similar registration/licensing schemes Kings Meadow ho„,v UUIIUUUUI tIV IIVUJW NRA Kings Meadow Road Goldhay Way Chatsworth Road exist on other rivers and which are not Reading National Rivers Authority controlled by the N RA and advice should be RG1 8DQ sought as to who controls the navigation and Tel: 01734 53! Fox: 01734 50 their licensing requirements. 0 4 5 4 7 1

HO-12/94-lOk-D-AMKH The Thames navigation Navi gation FACTS extends from the Town Bridge at Cricklade to the

The NRA holds various legal boundary obelisk

responsibilities for inland river, estuary, approximately 230 yards and harbour navigations in England and downstream at Teddington Wales as a result of the Water Resources lock, a distance of 135 miles (229km). In addition, m Act 1991 which superseded the Water Act the navigation extends up 1989. z m the River Kennet from its 3 0 The aim of the N R A ’s Navigation junction with the Thames function is to improve and maintain inland « to a point 70 yards waterways and their facilities for use by the public in the areas where the N R A is the navigation authority. The N RA is a Thames navigation authority in its’ Thames, Anglian and Southern regions. In total, over 800km of Britain’s finest river navigations are managed by the N RA and On its course from the edge of the there are approximately 44,000 boats Cotswolds to the nation's capital, the holding NRA licences. Thames passes through beautiful The rivers under the N RA ’s countryside, picturesque villages and management contrast greatly, ranging historic towns. It passes numerous country from the remote fenland rivers in East mansions set in spacious parks, while Anglia to the grandeur of the Windsor Castle, Hampton Court and which stretches from the Cotswolds to the Runnymede are just three of the many City of London. Steeped in history and locations with royal connections. The river winding their way through some of has played an important part in the nation’s England’s most beautiful countryside, history and has been an inspiration to these rivers provide a host of recreational writer, composers, and artists. activities for all to enjoy. Activities range The river is popular for both cruising from quiet riverside walks, watching boats and hire boats. The Thames is famed for its travelling through locks, ferry trips and rowing; clubs are found all along the river fishing to the more active pursuits of from Oxford, and the internationally canoeing, rowing and boating. renowned Henley Regatta is held on the The river corridors are also important Thames. There are canoe clubs in most habitats for many types offish, animals, towns along the river and some of the birds and plants. weirs are used for white water events. The lower reaches of the river support a number of sailing clubs. There are a number of stretches of riverbank downstream of the High Windsor Castle Bridge at Reading.

The NRA own forty four University town of O xford lock and weir sites on the

River Thames and one University Boat Rate - lock on the River Kennet. Oxford (Isis) There are seventy five lock keepers and fifteen V I sT t or attractions patrol launches. Henley Regatta Approximately 35,000 craft are registered on Canoe rodeo and the Thornes per year. slalom events

where free fishing is allowed. At a number of N R A sites anglers may buy a permit and have exclusive access to fishing in the vicinity of a weir. All anglers in England & Wales fishing for freshwater fish and eels require an N R A Rod Licence. There is a towpath along the River Thames which provides superb walking. A new National Trail, The Thames Path, is soon to be opened which follows the river from its source near Kemble in Gloucestershire to the Thames Barrier. Many of the locks provide an attractive settings in where visitors can relax by the riverside, enjoy a picnic, or simply watch the boats go by.

FURTHER READING

The River Thames Handbook

Locks and Weirs on the River Thames

Navigation Levels of Service The footbridge immediately Aylesford Priory FACTS gives access to 19 miles downstream of the Leigh

(31km) of the freshwater flood regulating barrier, just The Malta Inn, Allington Lock

west of Tonbridge. Approx­ River Medway, above its Cobtree Museum of Kent Life tidal limit at Allington. imately 2,000 boats are

There are ten locks and licensed on the M ed w ay per Archbishop's Palace, Maidstone

associated sluices and year, lock keepers operate VISITOR ATTRACTIONS weirs, and a lifting bridge the tidal lock at Allington, at Yalding. The upstream and staff are available to 14th Century Bridge, Teston limit of Navigation is the operate the lifting bridge. Yalding village (including Georgian houses, working forge, moated vicarage, Warde's moat)

Tonbridge and Tonbridge Castle

Southern Haysden Country Park

The River Medway was opened to There are opportunities to visit the locks navigation some 250 years ago when or parks near the river and enjoy the water-borne transport was in its views of weirs, meadows, pastures, heyday. Today, the river between medieval bridges and oast houses. Maidstone and Tonbridge is maintained There are several villages on, or close to, as a public right of navigation, enabling the river which provide ample occasion water users to experience the delightful for the traveller to explore and take scenery of the Garden of England. The refreshment. navigation is supported by a well maintained and signposted footpath network which allows visitors unique access through beautiful Kentish FURTHER READING scenery of hop fields and orchards. Much of the towpath between River Medway leaflet Allington Lock and the Leigh Barrier has been re-established by the Medway Guide to the Medway Navigation River Project. The project is a partnership between the N R A , Countryside Commission, local authorities and industry. The river is popular with canoeists and anglers and trips can be taken on the river by pleasure boat or under your own power in a rowing boat. The NRA has navigational The NRA owns 69 lock Market towns - FACTS responsibility on the rivers structures. All operational Northampton, Bedford, Ancholme, Welland/Glen, activities associated with Brigg, M a rk e t Rasen,

Nene, Great Ouse (and its maintenance of the Market Harborough,

accompanying system) and navigation system are Stamford

Stour, covering 293 miles combined with those of

(507km) of navigable flood defence and carried VISITOR i T T R A C T I 0 N S waterways. The region out by District Engineers

registers approximately and their staff.

6,000 vessels per year. Remains of a Roman

Dutch style of water front architecture in Wisbech (River Nene) Anglian River Nene linked to Grand Union Canal and Middle Level

Cathedral town of Peterborough The Rivers Ancholme, Welland, Glen, There are over 250 miles of cruising Stour, Nene, and the Great Ouse system Famous Denver land available on these East Anglian rivers, drainage sluice form an important part of a navigable yet this delightful area is probably the river network in the Eastern counties. Cardington Canoe least known of our inland waterways. The rivers of this region are uncrowded Slalom The rivers are quiet and relaxing with many charming waterside Inns to pro­ and flow through miles of rural tran­ vide traditional English food and ale. quillity bringing the individual directly in touch with some of the most unspoilt and naturally rich water environments in Britain. These rivers have a great deal to offer the discerning visitor. As well as FURTHER READING outstanding architecture, the area is rich in historical connections stretching back into Roman times.

The unique nature of this area, with vast Navigation - the Anglian Experience expanses of artificially drained land The River Nene Navigation Guide reclaimed from its natural marsh state, A brief history of the River Stour Navigation, 1705-present day offers the visitor an unusual choice of various types of activity encompassing NRA Navigations in the Anglian Region

angling, birdwatching and visiting Navigation Notes - Advice to Boat Owners towns and villages with strong historical and cultural associations.