NABOThe Magazine of the National NewsAssociation of Boat Owners Issue 6 Winter 2017

AIR POLLUTION FROM MOORED BOATS LET’S HEAR IT FOR BUGSWORTH CAN YOU HEAR ME? 2

The NABO Council Regional Representatives Chair NW Waterways Stella Ridgway Richard Carpenter (details left) NABO News The magazine of the National Association of Boat Owners 07904 091931 North East, Yorkshire and Humber, Shared [email protected] Ownership Rep. Issue 5 October 2017 Vice Chair, NAG (Licensing and Moorings), Howard Anguish Communications Officer, Moorings 01482 669876 Contents Mark Tizard [email protected], [email protected] London Waterways and NAG (Licensing & Mooring) 0203 4639806 4 Editorial [email protected] David Williams Treasurer 07813 496208 5 In the Chair Helen Hutt [email protected] 6 Fly on the wall 07831 682092 South East 10 Around the Regions; North East and Geoff Wood [email protected] West Midlands Legal Affairs and Continuous Cruising 07968 491118 Mike Rodd [email protected] 12 News: Increased registration and 07831 860199 Southern Waterways licence fees. Cut in CRT’s winter works [email protected] Andy Colyer spend. CRT restructuring. Changes to NABO News Editor 07733 364856 RCD. Towpath time-trials by cyclists. Peter Fellows [email protected] 15 Thames mooring not in the Thames. 19 High Street, Bonsall, Derbyshire, DE4 2AS Geoffrey Rogerson 01629 825267 07768 736593 16 Report: Air pollution from moored Midlands Waterways boats. [email protected] Cover photo Webmaster, NAG (Operations) and BSS Rep. Phil Goulding (details left) 23 User Groups: EA’s User’s Forum. David S. Fletcher East Midlands Waterways 24 Boating: Let’s hear it for Bugsworth. This month’s cover photo is “Rush Hour” tak- 07719 276659 Joan Jamieson [email protected] 0115 981 2047 27 Talking points: Can you hear me? en near Bradford-on-Avon by Andrew Stevens Continuous Cruising Rep. [email protected] 30 Letters whose wonderful photography, including this Phil Goulding West Midlands image, is available to buy as prints on his website; 01271 865340 Alison Tuck Next NABO News copy date www.andrewstevensphotography.com/shop/. [email protected] [email protected] Floating Traders, Regional Reps Coordinator and Anglian Waterways Win a year’s free membership by having your pho- Boater Liaison Rep. Vacant Articles, letters, cartoons and photos are to selected for the front cover of NABO News. most welcome. Images in JPEG format please. Alison Tuck North Wales & Borders Please email photos as JPEG attachments, ideally Please email or post your contributions by 07450 108659. David Fletcher (details left) portrait format with a file size of 2MB or larger. [email protected] Welsh Waterways January 27th 2018. Our email address is Paul Howland Mike Rodd (details left) [email protected]. 07443 635587 River Severn [email protected] Vacant Minutes Secretary River Thames Vacant Graham Paterson 0118 986 3959 General Sec, Promotion and Recruitment [email protected] Richard Carpenter Mill House End Farm, Leyland, Lancashire Additional Contacts PR26 9HB, Assistant For The Disabled NABO News is published by the National Association of Boat Owners 07989 441674 or 01772 600886 Ken Hylins [email protected] PO Box 104, Leyland PR25 9AN Editor: Peter Fellows Production: Chris Pink 07852 911539 NABO Online [email protected] Whilst every care is taken to ensure that the contents of this newsletter are factually correct, we accept no liability for any direct Administration or consequential loss arising from any action taken by anyone as a result of reading anything contained in this publication. The facebook.com/master.nabo Sue Burchett views expressed are not necessarily those of the Association. The products and services advertised in this publication are not Mark Tizard [email protected] necessarily endorsed by the Association. Twitter @NABO_Official David Fletcher CRT Emergency No: 0800 4799947 EA Emergency No: 0800 807060 Contact CRT waterway managers at canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/our-regions

NABO News Issue 6 Winter 2017 4 5 The Editor’s Column In the Chair

s 2017 draws to a close, it is proposed increases to boat registra- s another year ends and your voice in the Canal and River clear that CRT is focussed on tion fees, it ignored the consultation Christmas approaches, the Trust, and we can only do that with its grant renewal, which will findings and went ahead with the summer boaters are busy your help. Arequire it to demonstrate to original proposals for steep hikes Awinterising their boats, livea- There are plans submitted to re- Government that it has widespread in the costs. A diligent boater has boards are eyeing places to get free move the wharf at Marple and build popular support. This means pro- also found that EA’s introduction of wood and ensuring that they have houses on it. (In Marsworth, this moting the waterways to millions charges for mooring on the Thames organised a delivery from their lo- has resulted in boaters being asked of walkers, cyclists, canoeists and is illegal. cal coal-boat. We are lucky to have not to run their engines at all. In gongoozlers as part of its wellbeing Also in November, we were sad- fortnightly coal-boat runs; please Macclesfield, the water point was or ‘green gym’ campaign. The 35,000 dened to hear of the untimely death support your coal-boats—they are moved and the visitor moorings are boaters are incidental to this. of Trevor Rogers; Mike Rodd and the lifeblood of the canals in winter. rendered useless because of the ‘No Geoffrey Rogerson have written The winter mooring season has Engine Running’ rule). NABO has of his important contribution to begun and those who don’t have a put in a robust submission oppos- NABO Council over many years. home mooring can take advantage The problem of air pollution in of these, although I have to say I Is anyone London has prompted the Mayor to haven’t noticed a big uptake in our suggest that smoke and fumes from area. Where they do seem popular, The winds of moored boats should be reduced I notice they are priced accordingly. and the Waterway Ombudsman re- My treatment has prevented listening? ported two cases of complaints on me from travelling too much and I this issue. must arrange things around it. We change Editor Peter Fellows has a little rant NABO has responded to the are still trying to get a haemodialy- Mayor’s consultation. There are sis machine on our boat; we seem also reports from our regional to be caught up in the inevitable red Stella Ridgway gets ready for winter reps, Howard Anguish in the North tape that surrounds such things, As a result, NABO is becoming East and Alison Tuck in the West but we are still hoping to get there. ing the Marple plans and I attended increasingly concerned that its voice Midlands, and Stella Ridgway sings The next round of quarterly CRT a Marple Area Planning meeting is not being listened to by senior the praises of Bugsworth Basin on meetings is not due to start until in December. We will publicise the CRT managers and directors. We the Peak Forest Canal. Developers January, but NABO has been ex- outcome when it is known. are no longer a ‘critical friend’; just are threatening the wharf at Marple amining the Annual Report. The Finally, may we take this op- critical. Members who attended Junction on this canal and Alison boating and licensing income was portunity of wishing you a Merry the AGM in November discussed reports on other proposals to de- £45m and £38m was the entire main- Christmas and Happy New Year. the long list of recent decisions by velop two canalside sites in central tenance budget (dredging comes Safe winter boating and we’ll see you CRT that have disregarded the ad- Birmingham. out of that), so boaters paid for all all on the water in 2018. vice offered by NABO (and CRT’s I was horrified to come across a the maintenance on the system—so National Advisory Groups), and Fly website used by sportspeople to re- much for boaters not paying their on the Wall recorded some of these cord their fastest times, which has way—yet they spent £22.8m on vol- for this issue. There is also an article cyclists competing to see who can unteer management and training. by Jenny Maxwell, reprinted from a ride fastest along towpaths, includ- Facebook forum, which sums up the ing the Worcs & Birmingham canal How to change things then? frustrations felt by a large number of to Edgbaston—utterly selfish behav- NABO is as good as our members: boaters and boating organisations. iour that can only result in a serious please subscribe if you have liked We will wait to see if the recent injury or worse. CRT’s decision to our Facebook page or follow us on restructuring of senior CRT staff reduce the width of Edgbaston Twitter. It costs £25 per year, and for makes any difference. But let’s not Tunnel for boaters, to accommodate this you get this excellent reference hold our breath—none has boating a wider towpath, can only help these magazine and the support of experi- experience and, with the replace- cyclists go faster. enced boaters. We are listened to by ment of Trustee, John Dodwell, this Whether you’re out on the water- the Trust and we have NABO mem- means that there are now no boaters ways or planning next year’s cruising, bers on CRT’s Council and National on the CRT Board. The EA doesn’t have an enjoyable Christmas and my Advisory Groups, who can influence Marple Wharf—in danger of disappearance Photo: Peter Fellows fare any better: having consulted on best wishes for 2018 thinking at the Trust. We want to be NABO News Issue 6 Winter 2017 NABO News Issue 6 Winter 2017 6 7 NABO Council, October 14th 2017 and AGM 2017 Fly on the Wall

being repaired and maintained suf- Likewise the licensing consultation: * If you'd like to know ficiently, changes to mooring rules the only two areas of agreement to more about CRT’s plan Fly on the wall to cram as many houses etc.) and a feeling that CRT is mak- emerge from the Stage 1 and 2 con- as possible onto Marple Observes proceedings at October’s ing up the rules as it goes along, with sultations were charging by boat Wharf and ignore the Council meeting and the AGM little that boat owners can do in the area and a review of licence dis- views of locals, boaters, way of real influence. Hence NABO counts—so a few simple questions to coal boats and operators ight Council long-term leases on land and build- Council decided that it needs a refo- boaters in Stage 3 would have been of the New Horizons trip members ings to developers, without the same cus the Association’s efforts to stand sufficient. But the Stage 3 consulta- boat for the disabled, see marplecivicsociety. and three safeguards being put in place. The up for boat owners whenever CRT tion has included all the aspects that proposes any changes that will affect were rejected by NAG in Stages 1 & blogspot.co.uk/2017/09/ E guests met at latest example is the plan to sell off marple-wharf-planning- boaters or boating. But to do this ef- 2, despite there being no support for Wolverhampton Boat Club the transhipment warehouse and application-how.html in October. From wharf at Marple Junction on the fectively, NABO needs to have a new the proposals. In contrast, there is the outset, the dis- Macclesfield/Peak Forest canals for membership base, not only to give no option in the latest questionnaire cussions focussed on housing development*. This again it legitimacy, but also to secure suf- to keep the prompt-payment dis- money: in particular promotes a feeling that boaters are ficient income to fund legal advice, count, which was widely supported. CRT’s need to secure new sources being ignored and marginalised. and to produce NABO News—the There is also CRT’s divisive desire to of funding in case the Government Then there is the current licens- major regular expenditure. So in the potentially charge boaters without grant renewal fails to come up to ing consultation: CRT has said from New Year NABO will begin a major a home mooring a higher licence expectations. Its other main sourc- the outset that the review is intend- effort to attract younger boaters and fee, or a higher fee if they cruise to es of income are 25% from boating ed to be revenue-neutral with the find ways in which it can provide a certain range, despite these be- NABO calendar 2018 (licence fees and mooring charges), aim of simplifying the licensing sys- them with information and advice ing clearly rejected at all stages Council Meetings; 25% from property investment, tem. But feedback so far in the first that is not available free from the of the consultation and by NAG January 20th, March 13% from utility transfer contracts two consultation stages has not indi- Internet or social media. This will meetings. CRT needs to be more 10th, April 21st, June 9th, (water, gas and telecoms) and the cated any strong demands to change form one of the main topics for dis- transparent in what is going on with July 21st (if required), cussion at the AGM in November. licensing proposals. Is it asking the September 1st, October rest from charitable donations. the system, except perhaps a move This is having a number of impli- to licensing by boat area and keep- same questions again, expecting dif- 13th, November 10th ferent answers? NABO needs to be (includes AGM). cations: first, boating is not seen ing the prompt-payment discount. …and at the AGM by CRT as central to its purpose So it is puzzling that the questions more proactive in arranging meet- and activities—it is the wellbeing being asked of boat owners in the As the AGM was held on November ings with CRT to discuss issues of Council meetings are agenda and ‘green gyms’ that attract final consultation stage now include 11th, Armistice Day, a two-minute importance—they won’t ask us. held at boat clubs in the silence was held at 11 am. We also The EA is no better: its registra- Midlands area. Members a much wider range of the popula- one that has not been raised be- tion to the waterways, to relax and fore—about a higher licence fee for remembered those whom the wa- tion (licensing) consultation has are welcome to attend terways lost this year: Fiona Slee, produced a 7-12% increase in reg- Council meetings; please take exercise—which fits with the boats that remain in a limited area just let the Secretary Government’s approach to improv- and removing the prompt-payment Trevor Rogers, Dennis Hill and istration fees, ignoring advice that or Chairman know in ing the nation’s health. Recent CRT discount, one of the few discounts Louis Jankel. this is too high. Trial visitor mooring advance (contact details reports do not feature boating at all. that boaters supported. Similarly, With apologies for absence fees have been outsourced but then inside cover). There is also a new thrust by CRT to congestion charging was explicitly from Stella due to dialysis, Vice- found to be illegal, and Blakes Lock revive the Waterway Partnerships, rejected in the first two consulta- Chair, Mark, took the chair and was closed for repairs by the EA, with the aim of attracting new tions; respondents saw congestion described NABO’s behind-the- but it didn’t bother to tell CRT that sources of grant funding that can be as an enforcement issue and not a scenes work on two of the NAG the K&A would be closed for nine used to maintain and develop the licensing issue, but it remains as a committees (Licensing & Moorings months. waterways. The Property Investment question to boat owners. and Operations) and on three BSS 70% of volunteers are lock- Division seems to be able to act It is clear that CRT does not have committees—making a spider’s web keepers in places where there were pretty much as it sees fit, regard- the 35,000+ boat owners as its central of information gathering and influ- previously no CRT staff, but CRT less of the impact on boating and concern. As a result, many boaters ence; NABO is far better informed spent £22.5M on training them and canal heritage. Although CRT is re- are feeling marginalised, with little and influential than other boating providing their travel expenses. quired to protect historic structures account being taken of the need to organisations. The problem is that Over two years, CRT spent £15M that it owns as part of its charitable maintain their ability to cruise (in- CRT isn’t listening! An example of on improving towpaths to create cy- objects, the Property Division is a adequate vegetation management, it turning a ‘deaf-un’ is outsourcing cleways yet only £13.5M on dredging limited company that is able to offer crumbling infrastructure that is not of parking fines on long-term CRT and around the same (£16M) on veg- moorings, which NAG objected to. etation management. CRT’s focus is NABO News Issue 6 Winter 2017 NABO News Issue 6 Winter 2017 8 9 Fly on the Wall News

to renew its Government grant us- can be used, but boat licence fees ing the wellbeing agenda, getting and mooring charges—approxi- Trevor Rogers very well on NABO as a boating organisation. more canoeists on the water, and mately the same amount—do not He served as a UK representative on many ISO We are very sorry to report that after a long cyclists and walkers on towpaths. have any conditions on the use of Standards committees and working groups. period of illness, Trevor (known to close But speeding cyclists stop people this money. Why not? After a long period on NABO Council, he had friends as ‘Trig’) passed away peacefully on using the towpaths—the policy is There was a long discussion on to leave due to his illness and treatment, brave- Wednesday, 4th October, aged 65. Trevor was short-sighted and ignores NABO’s stoppages and asset failures: there ly coming back for a short period before he had an active member of NABO since 1998 and warnings, causing problems that are about the same number of miles to give it up permanently. his gift was a fine mind. He may have, at times, were predicted. One NABO mem- of canal as motorways, but waterway A professional engineer, he had worked at seemed pedantic, but really he was questioning ber was a ‘mystery shopper’ on an stoppages are not well notified— the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment and querying until he was quite satisfied when, electric ‘Go-Boat’ in London with there would be an outcry if the same at Aldermaston, with a special interest in with a small chuckle, he would say: “I see”. senior CRT staff, when a wide- thing happened on motorways. CRT standards and safety. A passionate boat-owner, An amiable and easy-going member of beam came the other way through and the EA need to be more profes- for many years he kept his narrowboat, Ranger, NABO Council, his contribution was more Islington Tunnel. They had to re- sional with better communications at Ham Marina in Newbury. For the latter part of a critical nature than initiating ideas. His verse out of the way. For months, and signage. Recently, CRT intended of his life, he lived in an apartment overlooking other strength was being a member of com- NABO has been warning CRT to to close the Leicester Arm for lock the canal, next to Greenham Island. Needless mittees and working parties for the Boat Safety no effect about the dangers for ca- repairs, but hire companies ob- to say, he will be missed, not only for his input, Scheme, where both his technical and proce- noeists in tunnels, and CRT is now jected so they ran water through to but as a popular member of NABO Council. dural knowledge was invaluable. This reflected starting a ‘share the waterspace’ maintain levels with the leaky lock Geoffrey Rogerson and Mike Rodd campaign to encourage more ca- gates and, as a result, this drained noeing. The strategy is all about the Saddington Reservoir. So now there Waterway Partnership meetings Increased EA registration wellbeing agenda and not about nav- is a long-term closure and, in effect, igation. NABO needs to focus CRT’s CRT created an emergency stop- CRT publishes details of meetings on its meet- charges ings calendar, but a search by Allan Richards for attention on the fact that canals are page. Finally, members spent the In July, the EA sought boaters’ views on increased special because of boats; canals are afternoon discussing how NABO meetings of Waterways Partnerships reveals that it is failing to publish the minutes/notes from registration fees during a six-week consultation foremost for boats and everything can use social media to attract new through national and local user groups, whose else (canoeists, walkers, cyclists) is members and their ideas will be a large majority of meetings. In the first half of CRT's 2017/18 financial year, there were 27 members represent the majority of private pleas- peripheral. The Defra grant of £50M developed into new plans over the ure and commercial boating organisations. has conditions attached on how it coming months. meetings recorded, but only seven had minutes/ notes published, and only the West Midlands The increases announced in November are un- Partnership published minutes of all its meet- changed from the proposals set out in July, so the ings. results of the consultation appear to have been NABO—Your organisation % ignored. The increases are: 7.5 OFF Minutes Charges for any powered boat kept, used or Council Vacancies BOAT INSURANCE Number of or notes for hire on EA waterways in 2018/19 will in- Partnership meetings published crease by 5.7% (Thames), 7.5% (Anglian) and NABO Council has a few vacancies that it would like THROUGH SPECIALIST INSURANCE BROKER CETA to fill: we need a Minute Secretary and reps for Anglian East Midlands 0 0 10% (Upper Medway). Waters and the River Severn—can you help? Charges for all unpowered boats (not house- CALL CETA ON Kennet & Avon 2 0 boats) and those registered with British Sue Burchett 01608 647601 London 2 1 Rowing or British Canoeing will increase by Sue has stood down from her role on the Membership Manchester & Pennine 1 0 7.7%. Team, helping to maintain the membership database. If AND ASK FOR A BOAT The Gold Licence will increase by 3.8%. This is you could spare half an hour every fortnight or so, please INSURANCE QUOTATION North East 5 0 based on the CRT increase of 2.5% for 2017/18 get in touch. Our thanks to Sue for her many years’ in- OR CETURL.COM/YMZ6J North Wales & Borders 3 0 and the EA increase of 7.7% for 2018/19. The increases will apply from 1st January on the volvement with NABO, including being Chair 2001-03. North West 3 0 FOR AN ONLINE QUOTATION Thames and from 1st April for all other water- NABO News South East 3 0 ways. Say you are a member of NABO and Here at NABO News, I would also welcome some help South Wales & Severn 3 1 The consultation document, a summary of re- qualify for 7.5% discount. from members: do you have skills as a cartoonist or a sponses and the EA’s replies to the main points Talk through your requirements for a West Midlands 5 5 crossword compiler? I would also welcome more cover quotation. raised are at www.gov.uk/government/consulta- photos, especially autumn and winter on the waterways. Total 27 7 tions/navigation-charges-consultation-201819

NABO News Issue 6 Winter 2017 NABO News Issue 6 Winter 2017 10 11 Around the Regions Around the Regions North East Aire & Calder. This will replace the use of a dilap- West Developments around the Mail Box idated overhead bridge which would remain only Large developments around the Mail Box area Waterways as a service bridge after refurbishment. Because Midlands now result in navigation difficulty as the canal is a of the large number of planned jobs in the region, wind tunnel when turning onto the Birmingham Howard Anguish CRT has had to defer six planned operations un- Alison Tuck & Worcester. I experienced it when I was towing I attended the Local til 2018/19. Edgaston Tunnel my butty round the junction. My motor ended Waterway Forum in There was a presentation about the reopening Widening up facing the wrong direction as it was the only September on behalf of of bridges that were damaged during the floods The Edgbaston tunnel will way I could keep control of the butty. I managed NABO at the normal ven- two years ago, and also about the refurbishment be closed from 2nd January to get the butty to the side by being broad-sided ue near Castleford. It of Thornton Lock on the Pocklington Canal— at 08:00 to 16th March at by the CRT workboat that goes around the cen- was noticeable that attendance numbers were part of the ongoing work to extend the restored 16:00 for the towpath to be widened, reducing tre cleaning litter out of the canal. They pushed down—around 30 ‘customers’ with about 12 navigation by a further two miles. Work to reno- the tunnel to single passage by boats. There is us into the bank so we could jump off and hold CRT staff also taking part. It was suggested that vate Walbut Lock will start shortly, together with no provision for mooring or pulling in if a boat the boats with lines. I then had to unhook and the downturn in participant numbers was be- some dredging, and the extension of navigation is in the tunnel. The tunnel will be opened over turn the motor before I could continue my jour- cause the meeting was a month earlier than to Bielby, which will be completed by mid-sum- the weekend of 20th/21st January and from 1st ney down the Birmingham & Worcester mer 2018, in time for the Canal’s Bi-Centenary. www.itv.com/news/central/update/2017-06-25/ to 4th February. A towpath diversion will be in barge-is-hard-to-budge-after-getting-stuck-in-canal This work is being done in conjunction with the place. A report on towpath improvements that Pocklington Canal Amenity Society. CRT intend to make along West Midlands and Closure of Ickneild Port maintenance yard Around the As is usual at this time of year, we were talked Black Country canals is available. through an outline of the Business Planning canalrivertrust.org.uk/media/original/10709- The development of 1,150 canal-side homes, submission to CRT, ready for the 2018/19 sea- towpath-and-access-works.pdf a shopping centre and leisure facilities on the regions with son. The planned spend would be in the region 43-acre site at Icknield Port has just been ap- of £4M. This expenditure is for day-to-day op- Development at Cambrian wharf proved on a close vote by Birmingham Council. erations and works and includes major contracts There is a development proposal at the Flapper The CRT maintenance yard at the far end of the already agreed. It does not include additional and Firkin music pub at Cambrian Wharf. There loop will be closed. The moorings in the loop will spend for unplanned/emergency work. Areas NABO’s are permanent residential moorings at the wharf be kept. The development, which is said to have of focus include the Calder Valley Rising pro- as well as visitor moorings, and this development significant social housing, will be more of a de- ject, ongoing work on the Pocklington Canal as could threaten those moorings. There has been a signer village, so there could be issues with the part of the HLF project mentioned above, tow- history of conflicts between boaters and the flat moorings. The plans show they are building right regional reps path improvement schemes in South Yorkshire residents in the city centre. There is an online up to the canal edge and are not providing ad- in conjunction with Sustrans, and various flood campaign to save the Flapper, which generated equate barriers to stop children falling in. Details alleviation and community projects. more than 2,000 signatures within 20 hours and are reported by the Birmingham Post. In the We were asked to take part in a table-top exer- normal and some people may still be away boat- passed 7,000 within three days article there is an artists impression and there ing. It was decided to revert to mid-October next cise to identify suitable projects as part of the www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/music- seems to be a moored wide-beam Dutch barge. year. national scheme which provides funds of £1 M to nightlife-news/whats-replacing-flapper-firkin- Maybe CRT has a plan to widen the BCN that Chaired by Mike Marshall, who is acting as NE be shared between the 10 waterway regions, and its-13358745 they haven't told us about. this exercise provided a useful input to the CRT www.birminghampost.co.uk/first-phase-icknield- Waterway Manager while Jon Horsfall is on se- port-loop-13453818?service=responsive condment as Head of Boating, in response to a team, coming up with a variety of suggestions. question we were told that Jon would be acting The final session of the evening was an open in this role until at least the end of the year, but forum with key members of CRT staff, which there is some uncertainty about whether it might allowed for a full exchange of ideas and also pro- be extended. Pastures new for Jon? vided an opportunity to network. Other points There was a brief overview of the proposed NE that arose during the meeting included: winter works programme, from which it was ev- The sea-washed marine aggregate scheme ident that there was an extensive programme, from the Humber Ports to Leeds is now ex- including some extended stoppages in key loca- pected to start very shortly using refurbished tions—Pollington Locks in particular—together wharves in Leeds. with a number of jobs on the Calder & Hebble The Leeds flood alleviation scheme has now Canal. Agreement has been reached to install been completed and the water taxi is now a new swing-bridge (Ramsdens Bridge) on the running from Leeds Dock to River Lock, on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. NABO News Issue 6 Winter 2017 NABO News Issue 6 Winter 2017 12 13 CRT News News CRT restructuring Community Engagement & Programmes is also leaving after 21 years’ service. CRT has not ad- Does your boat meet RCD changes? Before CRT issued a press release on November vertised for replacements for these three senior 9th, an internal communication sent to all staff managers and it is not clear why the Trust is in a The Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) requires first owner, it mustFurther information from Richard Parry was leaked. It read in part: position where redundancies are necessary. every new boat to be designed and built so that have an RCD2 Annex www.rya.org.uk/ ‘I am announcing today some changes to the Also leaving are two long serving supervi- it conforms to Essential Requirements and has IV Declaration of knowledge-advice/ legal/buying-a-boat/ way that the Trust is organised, which will in sors, Howard Griffiths and Neville Preece a CE mark. Earlier this year, the a new RCD Conformity for a com- some way affect everyone across the organisa- (RCD2) came into force and introduced new re- pleted craft and the craft Pages/recreational- (with around 40 years’ service each). David craft-directive.aspx tion, with the direct impact largely on executive Baldacchino, currently Waterway Manager for quirements for all boats placed on the market or must be CE marked, and senior management roles, as we strive to put into use within the UK. regardless of the stage www.europeanboat- Manchester & Pennines, will become interim ingindustry.eu/boat- simplify how the Trust works. Waterway Manager for North Wales & Borders It sets out new legal requirements for a new of completion. In addi- boat or for boats that have undergone major tion, should a DIY fitter ingdownloadables/ Julie Sharman is appointed to a new role as from 1st January. EUGUIDE_pdf_ver- Chief Operating Officer, accountable for all changes. For example, new boats now have re- then wish to sell the craft sion.pdf day-to-day operations, service delivery and Cut in winter works spend quirements for safe installation of electrical or with another RCD2 hybrid propulsion systems. Of more interest to www.thefitoutpon- local engagement. Annex IV Declaration of toon.co.uk/boat- Stuart Mills takes on a wider role as Chief A CRT press release in October stated: 'Charity current boat owners are changes classed as a Conformity and re-CE spends £38 million to keep your much-loved wa- certification/rcd- Investment Officer,Matt Forrest, Head of ‘Major Craft Conversion’. This could be length- mark the craft, this can update-2017/ Fundraising and Graham Boxer will report terways flowing. ... This November will see the ening of a boat, installation of an LPG system, only be done through a to Stuart, who also assumes responsibility for start of a five-month-long programme of repairs a new electrical system, change of engine to a Notified Body. Hence, a museums. to England and Wales’ waterways, as the char- radically different size, overplating, or a change DIY fitter can no longer self-declare a craft to ity, Canal & River Trust, spends £38 million to Heather Clarke becomes Strategy, Impact to the propulsion system. The legal responsibility the RCD and issue a Declaration of Conformity. and Engagement Director with Nicky restore some of the nation’s best loved sites.’ This for compliance is placed on the person who puts Partly completed boats can be put on the market Wakeford and Ed Fox reporting to Heather. programme of planned stoppages, known as the boat back in the water or up for sale after the but cannot be put into use if further construc- 'Winter Works', entails a series repairs to locks, Simon Bamford becomes Asset Improvement major conversion works have been carried out. tion work is required to make them usable. This Director, John Ward and Richard Wakelen bridges and other assets, and similar press releas- There are also changes to arrangements for effectively puts an end to sailaway boats that are will move to report to Simon. es, issued each year, quote the amount spent over part-completed—‘sailaway’—boats: previously, sold with a part-completion declaration. If it can the five-month winter works period. However, Mike Gooddie becomes People Director and a DIY fitter could buy a part-completed boat be sailed away, it is being used and it should be Sandra Kelly remains as Finance Director, the corresponding spend in 2015/16 was £45m from a boat-builder with an RCD Annex IIIa CE-marked. with no change to the scope of their roles, and and last year (2016/17) it fell to £43m. Declaration. To sell the craft within five years, Navigation authorities may now refuse to al- will lead the changes to simplify and stream- So, rather than proclaiming how much money the owner needed to issue an RCD Annex IV low incomplete sail-aways and shells to be on line our processes. CRT spends on maintaining the system, it actu- Declaration of Conformity for a completed craft the water (without licence pending completion). As a result of these changes, Ian Rogers will be ally reveals a cut in spending from £45m to £38 and the craft must be CE marked. Now, when This will mainly affect those boaters who use the leaving the Trust. I would like to thank Ian for all m—a decrease of £7m. But CRT’s income has the craft transfers from the boat-builder to the loophole to never finish work on their craft. his considerable work in bringing a greater cus- risen by 25% over the last four years, compris- tomer focus to the Trust in his three years with ing a 28% increase in Government grant, a 15% us. increase in income from boaters, and a 55% Over the next few weeks the respective increase in the value of, mainly property, invest- Directors will lead the work to develop the roles ments. and new structures within each function. We will It seems that CRT’s spending priorities lie of course commence consultation with the trade elsewhere and they are not to keep our ‘much- loved waterways flowing’. unions and other relevant bodies concerning any Allan Richards at www.thefloater.org/the-floater- changes as and when appropriate. I hope to give october-2017/crt-boasts-of-maintenance-spend-but- a further update in a month’s time.’ its-down-7-million-this-winter It seems that the Trustees have decided to slim down the charity, working from the top down. As well as directors, two waterway managers are CRT licence fee increase leaving. Wendy Capelle (North West & Borders) In October, CRT announced that private and has 20 years’ service with BW/CRT and will take business boat licence fees will rise by 3% from early retirement before Christmas, and Vicky 1st April 2018. Any changes, resulting from the Martin (South East), who has been in the job for current licensing consultation, will not be imple- Major changes in RCD compliance for sailaways two and a half years. Caroline Killeavy, Head of mented before April 2019. Photo: www.thefitoutpontoon.co.uk NABO News Issue 6 Winter 2017 NABO News Issue 6 Winter 2017 14 15 News Crofton award nbeknown to boaters, it has sponses to me, although it did claim From Narrowboatworld, transpired that the EA is that references on the TVM signs 27th July 2017 The Kennet & Avon Canal Trust has been award- not allowed to charge for and website to mooring ‘at night’ ed £559,300 of National Lottery funding from Uovernight moorings on the were an unfortunate oversight and the Heritage Lottery Fund as the major contribu- Thames, though of course it does! had now been removed. tion to an £845,000 project to secure the future of Following my concerns about as- the steam-driven Crofton Beam Engines, located pects of the visitor mooring scheme, on the K&A near Marlborough in Wiltshire. The including unlawful charges for over- project includes essential restoration and con- night mooring and unregulated Thames moorings servation work on the Grade I Listed engines and collection of data by a third-party, the buildings in which they are housed. Plans also in January I asked the EA, via a FoI include improvements to visitor facilities, new request, for a copy of the contract ‘not in the Thames’ interpretation of its engineering and social his- or agreement between them and tory, and new activities for families. The works Thames Visitor Moorings (TVM) in David Mercer mounts an investigation will begin over the winter in readiness for reo- relation to the scheme. pening at Easter 2018. There will be open days, They refused on the basis that no Open Canal Map when visitors can see the work in progress and such contract or agreement existed. Now they seemed to have changed hear more about plans for the rest of the project. They persisted with that response tack and tell me, via the Information A free UK canal and river map has been launched Details are on its website www.croftonbeamen- following an internal review, so I Commissioner, that their Thames for Desktop, Android and iOS, created using us- gines.org. If you would like to get involved as made a complaint to the Information visitor moorings are not ‘within’ the ers’ contributions and CRT’s Map Open Data. a volunteer at Crofton, contact the K&A Trust Commissioner’s Office. I found it Thames and thus are not subject to You can add information to the maps by typ- [email protected] or phone 07528 628953. unacceptable that the EA appeared the Thames Conservancy Acts! I ing in a place name and dragging a red marker to have no controls to ensure that find it virtually impossible to com- to the exact location you want. Then add the in- personal data collected by TVM was prehend how a floating vessel can formation about the place—toilet, laundrette, being adequately safeguarded. be temporarily moored ‘without’ the recycling, chandlery, mooring with rings, elec- I received the result of the ICO Thames, particularly given the re- tric hook up etc.—or navigation advice—CRT investigation. While it confirms that cent High Court judgment made in key required to operate bridge—then submit there appears to be no contract or favour of the EA, that all locks, cuts your data and, after it has been processed, you agreement in place and thus it can- and works within the river formed will be able to view it on the map. After 18 days not be supplied, it also confirms that part of the Thames. The definition of its release, the map had 10,000 views and over the EA has now ordered TVM to of ‘works’ was confirmed to cover 200 markers placed on it by 136 users. opencanalmap.uk stop collecting data until a contract, adjacent water marinas so it is in- meeting the requirements of the conceivable that it does not cover Data Protection Act, is in place. (As in-line moorings. an aside, I telephoned TVM and the 17mph average cycling gentleman there indicated that he speed at Edgbaston would still be quite happy to collect Mark Tizard replies my personal data on behalf of the There is no doubt that David Mercer’s article about Further to the problems of speeding towpath cy- EA. He even referred to the agree- clists reported in our last issue, there is a website ment between TVM and the EA!). EA charging for overnight moorings on the Thames, strava.com which is used by sportspeople to re- There was another aspect to when it should not, has had effect. cord their fastest times. Cyclists are reporting my FoI request: I asked the EA for For a new notice now pops up over its normal their record-breaking attempts along towpaths, sight of any legislation which over- mooring notice, when, to comply with their ‘rules’, including the Leeds and Liverpool, K&A and, rides Section 136 of the Thames as shown here, the Worcester & Birmingham boaters attempt to register their arrival with TVM Conservancy Act 1932 (as amended (which manages the scheme for the EA) at EA towpath. No doubt the widening of the towpath by Section 23 of the TCA 1972). That Thames visitor moorings. through Edgbaston Tunnel will help them shave legislation clearly prohibits the EA a few more seconds off their fastest time! The site from charging for mooring at night What is now interesting boaters is, can they claim is based in the USA, so there is little that CRT at any mooring place owned or pro- back money that has been illegally taken for can do about it. www.strava.com/segments/13522267 vide d by them. The EA rather skated overnight moorings? round the issue in their original re- NABO News Issue 6 Winter 2017 NABO News Issue 6 Winter 2017 16 17 Report: Air pollution from moored boats Air pollution from moored boats NABO’s Submission in response

Following the article ‘Care with combustibles’ in the July issue of NABO 9th November 2017 on behalf of the News, referring to the use of solid fuels and diesel generators and engines, Simon Robbins National Association of Boat Owners two reports and consultation replies from NABO and CRT have since referred to measures to deal with smoke and fumes from moored boats in he National Association of Our constituency For a more detailed London. Boat Owners (NABO) is a The craft in question, as represent- description of the situation of boaters voluntary membership organi- ed by our membership, are typically from our constituency Tsation, principally consisting privately owned narrowboats, canal in Greater London see London Environment Strategy of private boat owners based on the and river cruisers and small barges. “Moor or Less—Moorings inland waterways of England and The dimensions and capacity of the on London’s Waterways” Wales. NABO exists to represent network mean that these craft are led by Jenny Jones The full report can be ayor of London, Sadiq Khan, significant part of London’s total the interests of its members with usually less than 21 m in length and (now Baroness Jones of found at published his draft London pollutants and CO2 emissions. The navigation authorities and govern- less than 4 m beam (width). Moulsecoomb) www.london.gov. Environment Strategy in Port of London Authority wants to ment organisations and to promote The nature of these craft, and the www.london.gov. uk/WHAT-WE-DO/ MAugust. The relevant parts increase the number of river users responsible ownership and use of fact that they are mobile, means that uk/sites/default/ environment/ for boaters are as follows: “Emissions to 20 million by 2035. The Mayor inland boats. they rely on self-contained systems files/gla_migrate_ environment- We are writing in response to the files_destination/ publications/draft- from vessels and residential boats supports increased use of waterways for heating, domestic electrical pow- current consultation on the draft er and propulsion, and such systems Moorings%20report%20 london-environment- can contribute to local air pollution. for freight and passenger services as agreement%20draft%20 strategy-have-your-say These sources contribute a small but well as leisure uses. However, emis- London Environment Strategy being are designed as their primary energy FINAL.pdf sions need to be carefully managed undertaken by the Mayoral Group, systems. For propulsion, craft rely to ensure the problem does not just in particular with reference to the almost exclusively on diesel engines. shift from one source to another. issues around managing and reduc- It should also be noted that, when The Mayor has no powers to ing harmful emissions. Our main in navigational use, the engines, al- control emissions from the river or areas of interest are around the po- most without exception, provide from shipping. But he has asked the tential adverse impacts that private low-voltage electricity generation Government to improve the frag- boat owners might experience in the for both domestic and locomotive mented regulatory system to create event of insensitive regulation of: use, typically stored in lead acid bat- a single regulator through a new 1 The burning of fossil fuels and tery banks, (typically 12v or 24v low Clean Air Act or other legislation. wood for domestic heating, and energy systems). It should also be This will ensure that emissions from 2 The use of diesel engines for navi- noted that there is no obvious vi- vessels using London’s waterways gational propulsion. able alternative to diesel engines for are reduced as much, and as quickly, The following comments are appli- propulsion. Petrol engines are highly as possible. The Mayor recognises cable across the piece, but are most discouraged because of the fire risk that there are specific challenges directly relevant to Proposal 4.2.2a from the fuel. for river and canal vessels and will “The Mayor will work with govern- In some cases, hot water is also work with all the relevant parties ment and relevant groups to reduce generated by linking engine cooling to ensure that strategies to address emissions from activity on London’s water to simple calorifier systems, air pollutants and CO2 emissions waterways” . which use engine coolant to heat are proportionate and possible. To We welcome the commitment an immersion style water tank. enable cleaner vessels to use the wa- in the draft strategy to an ‘evidence It is therefore also apparent why terways, the Mayor will encourage based strategy’ when considering boat owners who are stationary on new and refurbished wharves, piers policy in this area towards boats and temporary/visiting moorings and and canal moorings to generate re- watercraft and hope this submission long-term moorings frequently need newable power onsite. Provision of will help introduce some of the ‘spe- to run their navigational engine shore power will be most encour- cific challenges for river and canal at least every few days to recharge Cosy? or a public nuisance? aged at residential moorings”. vessels’. domestic batteries while the boat is Photo: Gilly Rhodes occupied. A few craft have second- NABO News Issue 6 Winter 2017 NABO News Issue 6 Winter 2017 18 19 Report Air pollution from moored boats

short introduction, it should be clear munity, especially in respect of solid to the reader that any global ban fuel heating and the use of diesel en- Any ban on fossil fuels for heating and on the use of fossil fuels for heat- gines for navigation. As stated above propulsion would potentially render most ing and propulsion or of solid fuels we welcome the indications in the craft functionally redundant for domestic heating of boats in the draft strategy that the mayoralty will Mayoralty would potentially render work with relevant parties on de- most existing craft on the navigable veloping policy in this area. We are To reduce the need to run canal and river network functionally sympathetic to the aims of reducing engines and generators for non- redundant as their main systems for air pollution in London and would navigational purposes, especially generating heat and power would be suggest that a careful debate is un- for those craft that do not have outlawed. This applies whether the dertaken to look at any potential solar arrays. craft is lived on permanently or sim- mitigation measures. We would wel- To facilitate the increased use ply in temporary leisure use. come further involvement as policy of electrical domestic systems, Of course the potential impact is developed and we would be happy without the need for local gen- on long-term residential boaters to expand on the issues outlined in eration of electrical power by is more severe and in the extreme this submission. As outlined above, running stationary engines and 1 CRT press release could render residential boating in boaters are largely dependent on the generators. reproduced at nabo.org. its present form impossible, making use of diesel engines for navigation The capital costs of providing such uk/files/National-boat- Ready for a London fuel run check-2017-FINAL.pdf some boaters effectively homeless, and solid fuel for heating their boats schemes are, however, significant Photo: www.southislandmarina.co.uk 2 as they will no longer be able to heat and, in our view, must not be pro- and beyond the Canal and River canalrivertrust.org. ary generators that replicate some their boats or navigate. hibited from continuing to use such Trust’s means, and would require uk/news-and-views/ news/new-plans-to-help- or all of the above, but again these systems, unless the aim is to effec- third-party funding. National context 2 boaters-and-residents- are almost exclusively either in-built tively outlaw most existing private Better research and information get-along-in-islington diesel powered systems or port- It should also be noted that London’s boats from London’s waterways. on the relative impacts of different able petrol-fuelled generators. Space navigable waterways form part of a The impact of the boating activities solid fuels, with nudges towards heating is almost exclusively by solid national network. Unlike London’s we represent is very marginal when the least harmful options. (For fuel burners, burning coal, wood or low-emission zones for road trans- compared to the impact, for exam- example, Canal and River Trust in multi-fuel use, or less commonly, port, the ‘vehicles’ (in this case ple, of road traffic. The number of has encouraged the ‘coal boats’ by diesel heating boilers. Some of boats) are largely leisure boats. It privately owned craft on London’s it licenses (which commercially these systems also contribute to is therefore likely that restrictions waterways is well under 10,000. The supply solid fuel to boaters) not to hot water generation, depending on on the use of diesel propulsion will Canal and River Trust’s annual boat supply or stock fuels that do not their type and configuration. mean that London becomes a no-go count shows that there were less comply with the current Clean Air Bottled gas (propane) is most zone for many boaters not based in than 5000 such craft in their London Act regulations.) The Mayoralty commonly used for cooking and hot London, who would otherwise con- region as of March 20171 (There are might consider negotiating such water production and, exception- sider visiting the city, as the cost also other leisure craft base on the an agreement with garages and ally, for heating (although the cost of of converting or replacing propul- Port of London authority water and other fuel suppliers. this latter function is prohibitive for sion and heating systems, simply in the non-tidal Thames (managed by 3 All boaters’ organisations provide most owners). order to comply with any regional the Environment Agency). In clos- better information to ensure that Because of their actual and po- restrictions, will be considered un- ing, we offer a few, and by no means existing propulsion and heating tential mobility, the use of ‘on-grid’ economic by many owners. It is also comprehensive, suggestions that systems are well maintained. sources of power can only be a likely that many existing boaters, might help private boaters to reduce 4 Research into the potential ap- secondary option when a craft is especially those without long-term their emissions and wider environ- plication of catalytic converters, moored long-term, and assuming moorings, will look to leave London. mental impacts. We would welcome filters and other air cleaning tech- that: further discussion of these and oth- nologies to reduce the impact of 3 Such a connection is available, Conclusions er potential practical contributions marine engine exhaust emissions. and We therefore urge the Mayor and that the boating community can 5 Voluntary codes to minimise 4 The craft has suitable adaptations his advisory team to give careful consider making towards improving emissions from engines, genera- to ‘hook up’. consideration to the potential im- London’s environment. tors and heating systems in the In the majority of cases, such access pact of restrictive changes in policy 1 Improved access to electricity most sensitive areas. One such ar- to the grid is not available. and/or legislation on our members supplies for visiting boats at visi- rangement is already in existence Simply on the basis of this very and the wider private boating com- tor moorings at Noel Road in Islington2. NABO News Issue 6 Winter 2017 NABO News Issue 6 Winter 2017 20 21 Report Air pollution from moored boats

emissions. The Trust has appointed sults of which can be viewed on-line CRT’s response to air quality consultation Aether Consultants to research the and in real time by local communi- contribution inland waterway boats ties. make to national and local levels of The Trust would welcome the op- Extracts from CRT’s response to the Government inquiry on “Improving NOx and other harmful emissions. portunity to work with Government air quality: national plan for tackling nitrogen dioxide in our towns and Local authorities in Oxford, London to demonstrate the value of this pro- cities”. and Bath are particularly affected ject with the ambition of increasing due to the growing numbers of boats the number of sensors which meas- Q. What do you consider to be considered, there would need to be that reside in and visit these areas. ure air quality in local areas. the most appropriate way for local some dispensation for canal users Q. How best can governments Q. How could the Government authorities in England to determine and/or appropriate public invest- work with local communities to further support innovative tech- the arrangements for a Clean Air ment to help boat owners change to monitor local interventions and nological solutions and localised Zone, and the measures that should cleaner forms of power. In addition, evaluate their impact? measures to improve air quality? apply within it? exemptions to allow travel through A. The Trust, working with A. The Government should A. The opportunities for local au- a designated ULEZ must be applied Vivacity Consultants, has pioneered consider supporting partnerships thorities to work with stakeholders to enable boats to continue to move the development and roll-out of lo- between industry sectors and stake- such as CRT through campaigns and through city centres. The Trust has cal real-time sensors, which monitor holders. For example, the Trust, producing best practice guidance consulted boating representative canal and riverside path use, air tem- working with British Marine, could are vitally important. For example, groups widely on the draft revised perature and air quality. work with boat and solid fuel stove the Trust is working closely with the UK Air Quality Plan for tackling The Trust is currently install- manufacturers to ensure that a new London Borough of Islington to en- nitrogen dioxide and there is con- ing 50 of these sensors at 14 sites generation of inland waterway boat sure that NOx emissions from boats sensus that scrappage schemes for in England and Wales, six of which engines and stoves incorporate im- are reduced through the installation boat diesel engines are not appropri- will incorporate air temperature and proved environmental standards. of electric bollards (providing small ate or affordable. However electric quality sensors. However there is The proposed technology fund scale ‘on shore’ power for moored bollards, technological advances and scope (subject to relatively small lev- could be made available to the Trust boats) and ‘softer’ behavioural behaviour change campaigns can be els of investment) to roll-out these and Marine Sector to research and change campaigns such as those that appropriate to reduce NOx emis- sensors in many local areas, the re- test these innovations. help reduce smoke emissions from sions as quickly as possible. solid fuel stoves and others that re- Q. How can government best duce the detrimental idling of boat target any funding to support local engines in order to charge batter- communities to cut air pollution? Waterway Ombudsman’s annual report ies etc. Whilst there are no current A. Funding should be used to proposals within the Plan which support boat owners’ move away would impact on inland waterway from their current reliance on die- Case No 837 best to manage the local moorings The full Ombudsman’s boat users, we would wish to ensure sel and solid fuel to heat their boats Complaint about problems as part of a wider consultation about report, containing 17 that any proposal to introduce an and charge batteries for on-board arising from boats mooring on central London mooring manage- completed investigations Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) appliances, providing incentives for a section of the Regent’s Canal of complaints against ment. Although the terms of the CRT, can be found including an inland waterway (e.g. owners to purchase environmentally (selected extracts) complaint seemed to be relatively an urban canal) would recognise sustainable alternatives. at www.waterways- Ms K lives in a flat overlooking the straightforward, they masked com- ombudsman.org/ the constraints on canal users. The Government funding should also Regent’s Canal near St. Pancras. plications and issues that are at the media/1096/ombudsman- Trust notes that the provisions of be provided to help install electric She complained about nuisance core of the CRT’s London moor- annual-report-16-17.pdf charging in Clean Air Zones only bollards to areas which suffer dis- from smoke emitted by boats; noise, ing strategy, and it was not simply apply to motor vehicles, and not proportionate poor air quality (e.g. which was mainly from engines or a matter of deciding whether there to boats using navigations within in city centres) or where local condi- generators running sometimes at had been maladministration or un- those zones. In fact, the provisions tions cause a build-up of emissions unsocial hours; and bad behaviour fair treatment by the CRT. What was restricting emissions in Smoke (e.g. in canal cuttings). in the form of threatening or upset- clear was that the existing situation Control Zones under the Clean The Trust would welcome ting interactions with some of the was not satisfactory, a point which Air Act 1993 do not apply to boats, the opportunity to discuss with boaters concerned. She said that the CRT accepted, but that the so- which reflects the difficulties boaters Government representatives the these problems also affected her lution was far from clear. Short of face in converting to cleaner power potential to roll-out a UK-wide neighbours. In its response, CRT the CRT prohibiting mooring in the sources. Therefore, if an ULEZ was scheme to cut inland waterway boat said that it would decide on how area—which nobody felt was an ap- NABO News Issue 6 Winter 2017 NABO News Issue 6 Winter 2017 22 23 Report: Air pollution from moored boats User Groups

creased in winter, especially when there is a combination of very low EA’s national navigation users forum temperatures and still air, which means not only that there are more Mike Rodd represented NABO at July’s biannual meeting, which was emissions, but that any smoke is not well-attended by most of the boating organisations that cover the EA dispersed quickly. navigations. Case No 848 Complaint about problems s usual, the preparatory work There was then a very interesting arising from boats mooring on a was exemplary and the meet- and well-considered presentation section of the Regent’s Canal ing was very well chaired on EA’s work in developing its long- Ms R’s complaint raised issues which Aby EA Board member, Peter term navigation strategy, aimed at were similar to those of Ms K in Ainsworth, with his focus on mak- ensuring that EA’s navigations are Case No 837. Ms R lives in a house ing sure all delegates have every sustainable in the future. Clearly overlooking the Regent’s Canal. She opportunity to express their views. this sound work is being undertaken complained about nuisance from Inevitably a few delegates try to use assuming that CRT does not take smoke and noise from boats at a the meeting to beat their local drums over these responsibilities. Indeed, visitor mooring; that the CRT’s man- but these are skilfully dealt with! many of the suggestions to achieve agement regime at the mooring was The meeting had been delayed sustainability are similar to CRT’s; The ombudsman looks for harmony by a month or so, and this gave increasing income from non-boat- Photo: Mike Urban, urban75.org insufficiently stringent to deal with problems at the site; and that the the EA the opportunity to better ing sources etc. NABO emphasised propriate solution—there were no CRT did not adequately enforce the develop their work on proposed in- that, for this to be effective (as when obvious quick fixes, and few obvious management regime it had in place. creases to registration (licensing) BW became CRT), there would be a long-term fixes. I also received complaints from charges, and discussions on these need for a complete internal cultural I do not have powers to dictate a number of her neighbours. In my formed a major part of the meet- change—and the need to work with CRT policy, but given the extreme summary of Case 837, I referred ing. The pressure is on to get these the many existing local groups. level of dissatisfaction on the part to plans to install electricity posts. in place soon so as to allow them These discussions were followed of Ms K and her neighbours, I felt Since then the plans have advanced, to be applied to the Thames, where by an examination of EA’s assets, that the most effective contribution and it seemed that posts would be in- the charging year starts in January. being undertaken on a very similar I could make was to try to bring the stalled at the location. My view was The key proposal is a 5.7% increase basis to that used by CRT. The bot- parties together. Visitor and short- that the plans would address most of for the Thames, which was felt by tom line is that there is a need for term moorings do not, in the main, Ms R’s concerns. The CRT said that most delegates to be reasonable and around £16m per year to maintain have many facilities. In particular, there was also clear evidence that only slightly above CPI increases all the navigation assets, including they do not have electricity posts, boaters themselves were taking note over the three years—given that weirs and sluices. However, an ad- which means that the sources of of the London mooring situation, there had been no increases for the ditional one-off payment would also power and heating are the engines, and that they were starting to accept past two years. However, it is also be required to get current failing as- diesel generators, and stoves which that they must change their behav- proposed to increase the Anglian sets up to their required condition! burn a range of fuels. Unless boaters iour, or face more stringent cruising Waterways’ registration by 7.5% and Right up-front in the meet- are very careful in their use of fuels, and mooring requirements. the River Medway by 10%. While it ing, it was stated that there was no these may emit unpleasant and/or In conclusion, I was satisfied that is appreciated that the three areas progress to report on the EA/CRT noxious smoke and exhaust fumes. the CRT was going in the right direc- have different structures and needs, negotiations. Clearly there is much The problems are exacerbated at tion, and that the proposals would most boaters’ representatives felt frustration over this—both sides this particular location for three go a long way to addressing the resi- that they would find it extremely agree that it would be a good thing reasons; first, there are high proper- dents’ complaints. My view was that difficult to explain the differences but, given the money involved and ties on both sides of the canal, which Ms R did have a genuine grievance. to their members, and urged the EA the current political climate, this is means the fumes are contained (the The CRT accepted that the situa- to adopt a common strategy. NABO all well down on the Government’s canyon effect); second, the towpath tion did need to be improved, and also suggested that it was essential agenda. To me, it was clear that the is narrow; and third, except for what a plan had emerged, which at the to give users an indication of what EA is (correctly) preparing itself for is called ‘dark smoke’, the Clean Air time I opened the investigation had the future holds (i.e. could there any takeover of their navigational Act 1993 does not apply to boats. seemed to be a very unlikely out- be a similar increase in subsequent responsibilities NOT to happen, so Pollution problems are greatly in- come. years?) hence all the work mentioned above. NABO News Issue 6 Winter 2017 NABO News Issue 6 Winter 2017 24 25 Boating

ugsworth Basin was once the *The village was largest and busiest inland port originally called Bugsworth (from the Old on the narrow canal system English ‘Bucga’s Worth’ Band it is the only one to sur- or ‘Bucga’s Enclosure’), vive intact. It is located at Buxworth* which can be traced back in the valley of the Black Brook, to Norman times. But in close to Whaley Bridge. the early 20th century, some residents began Visiting the basin to dislike the ‘Bugs’ part As you go into the basin by boat, of the name. The local the wharfinger’s house next to the vicar and village school headmaster took up their narrows still has the bars on the cause and ‘Bugsworth’ officially became ‘Buxworth’ in 1930. The canal company had no Let’s hear it for such problems with the name and Bugsworth Basin remained Bugsworth! unchanged.

Main picture: Peter Fellows Stella Ridgway celebrates ‘a gem of a place’ Map: CRT at the terminus of the Peak Forest Canal. would have been prevalent. There is creams, chandlery items, coal, logs, a smallholding there that has chick- toilet chemicals etc. at very compet- windows to protect it from horses ens—check if there are eggs as there itive prices, it is run by volunteers breaking the glass with their nos- are usually at least a dozen a day in with all profits to the Heritage Trust, es while the steerer was reporting the summer. Those of us moored and is well worth a visit. Also, not to for loading or to assess the dues on on the Upper Peak Forest Canal al- be missed is the Navigation Inn ‒ go departure. The then manager had most take the basin for granted; we probably one of the first ‘compa- go there once a fortnight for water, A bit of history ny cars’, as he was supplied with a to empty the Elsan and rubbish and The basin was built in 1794-99 to horse to quickly get around the site. talk to the caretaker, who has trans- facilitate transport of limestone When you look around, you can im- formed the shop in the two years he and lime (burnt limestone) into agine the noise, smell and dust that has been there. Now selling teas, ice Manchester and beyond. A tramway was constructed from Dove Holes Bugsworth Basin in 1927 to bring the stone down to the canal. Photo: National Railway Museum and SSPL nrm.org.uk The basin contained quays, cranes, limestone crushing facilities, lime the Peak Forest Canal at nearby Whaley Bridge. kilns, a narrowboat gauging and toll station, The Peak Forest canal and tramway pros- horse transfer bridges (built in the Middle and pered until World War I, but both were closed Upper Basins so that boaters did not need to in the 1920s, with the stone and lime traffic tak- unhitch their horses), a canal master’s house en by rail and road. Interest in the canal revived and the Navigation pub. In 1831, the Cromford in the 1960s and it was re-opened in 1974, with and High Peak Railway was completed, car- Bugsworth Basin given Ancient Monument rying minerals and other goods between the status in 1977 and restored and completely Cromford Canal wharf at High Peak Junction re-opened to boat traffic in 2005 after a £1.2 to the Transhipment Shed at the terminus of million restoration.

NABO News Issue 6 Winter 2017 NABO News Issue 6 Winter 2017 26 27 Boating: Bugsworth Basin

Further information on the basin: Can you hear me? Bugsworth Basin Heritage Trust www.bugsworthbasin. org An ITV news report gave it out that the inland waterways of Historic England Britain are now in a thriving and healthy state, because of the historicengland.org. investment that has been made by the Government through, first, uk/listing/the-list/list- British Waterways and, more recently, the Canal and River Trust. entry/1021384 “Rubbish” cries Jenny Maxwell CRT canalrivertrust.org. uk/places-to-visit/ bugsworth-basin The Upper Basin today he policy, when the canals were and the money ‘invested’, although Cromford & High Peak Photo: bugsworthbasin.org failing, was ‘close them down, in what has not been made entirely Railway fill them in, build on them’. It clear. As old boatyards close down, through the first wide and wind in (other supermarkets are available!) www.pittdixon.go-plus. Twas not the Canal and River the machinery moves in and the net/c+hpr/c+hpr.htm the Upper Basin. The pub has a rea- has pleasant staff and the towpath Trust or its predecessors that saved walls begin to rise, and the adver- sonable menu and does an excellent through to the terminus basin at the canals; it was several individual tisements for this desirable new breakfast—and they have a good se- Whaley Bridge is used by locals as heroes. Week after month after year development, and then the inevi- In November, CRT lection of beers. The Bugsworth a cut-through. Whaley Bridge itself they refused to give up the hopeless- table and ubiquitous ‘No Mooring’ announced that a Basin Heritage Trust (previously is lovely: from the visitor moor- ly lost cause of Britain’s canals. Some signs. £250,000 project to the Inland Waterways Protection ings, visit the bread shop on Buxton of them banded together, and the Why? Why may we not moor improve the water flow to Society) runs a small visitor centre Road in the morning (they shut af- IWA became the biggest and most alongside the yuppie flats? How the Peak Forest Canal is and museum. ter lunch) and there is an excellent successful of the resulting organi- much of this territory have they underway at Bugsworth The Middle Basin Arm is a nice butcher on Old Road who slaughters sations, although by no means the claimed? Of what are they afraid? Basin. The work is place to moor, as is the first wide, his own lambs and cattle from his only one. It was they who saved the Rowdy, late night parties? Crime expected to last 12 weeks now that the wall is repaired. I would farm. and will involve installing inland waterways from destruction, and disorder? Violence and drugs? new pipes from Black encourage boaters to take advan- The Skyline Bus (Route 199) goes not the government-founded official Boaters on the whole do not go in for Brook River. Other work tage of the 48-hour moorings and between Buxton and Manchester departments. late night parties, or when they do, at the site will include explore the area. The Peak Forest Airport every half-hour from the The canals do indeed thrive now, those parties, in the form of towpath re-building the canal Tramway Trail goes from behind the bus stop close to the junction with and some of them are downright barbecues, take place quite a long wall in the middle arm of Navigation Inn for about 1½ miles the Whaley Bridge Arm. The bus is crowded, not with freight-carrying way away from the yuppies. There Bugsworth Basin. (2.6 km) and follows the route of the more regular than the train, but has work boats or one man traders, is crime on the canals certainly, but old tramway, right up to the top at a longer journey time. It is a short but with holiday makers on the boaters are more often victims than Chinley, which is a lovely walk for walk to the station for a relatively hire fleets, with people who have perpetrators. The only boat-based dogs. You can also walk the Old Silk quick train ride to Buxton. If you bought boats of their own in order to drug dealer I know (‘Purveyor of Road to Whaley Bridge, or along the carry on behind the station and up cruise in their spare time, and with Mind-Enhancing Substances to the towpath and over the footbridge or the hill, you come to the reservoir those who live on them. Business Nobility and Gentry, est. 1992’) is through the horse tunnel. Tesco built to supply water to the canal. is booming. The once derelict and soft-spoken and gentle, and would The Council has just upgraded the filthy towpaths are being cleaned be more likely to keep a herd of pigs Access to the Macclesfield Canal via the Marple flight on the pathways around it, providing a and cleared, and paved. Abandoned on the boat than firearms. Lower Peak Forest Canal will effectively be closed until March lovely walk that is well worth it to industrial sites alongside the No mooring. No Parking, No 2018 for boats with a beam of more than 6 feet 10 inches. The see the fabulous engineering that waterways now boast canal-side de- Smoking, No Dogs, No Manners. closure notice started in September from Lock 16 to Lock 1 and went into building the canals. velopments; ‘Reflections’ as some of ‘Oi! Can’t you read?’ Well, yes, prob- reads in part: ‘Due to subsidence at Lock 15, the lock side wall 100 boats can fit in the Basin at the new homes were named, blocks ably rather better than you. Visitor has moved and the lock is narrowed. We expect that only boats one time so there is plenty of room, of smart flats; offices, waterfront Moorings, 14 days, 5 days, 48 hours up to 6’10” width will be able to pass through it. We also have to but all too often we see people go bars and clubs; land alongside the max, return prohibited within 28 repair superficial damage to the lock side and install gauging at up in the morning and come back in canals has never been more in de- days, so don’t come back!’ the top and bottom of the lock flight before we can reopen it. the afternoon, and they have missed We’ll provide a further update when we are able to confirm the mand, or more valuable. Do not light your fires or run reopening date’. what Bugsworth has to offer if they So the family silver is being sold, your engines here, it upsets the do not spend at least a night there. NABO News Issue 6 Winter 2017 NABO News Issue 6 Winter 2017 28 29 Talking Points: Can you hear me? Talking Points

residents. They’ve moved here for paid off and lost? So that boaters out of existence to make room for those who came after the officials the peace and quiet. Of course they can be regulated, and managed, and something smarter? To see those who tried to stop you. I find it hard don’t mind passing boats, so long as charged for this, and made to pay for that remain licensed, and controlled, to believe that you dreamed of of- they are clean and smart, and so long that, and their boats must conform and taxed, and regulated, and made fice blocks and apartment buildings as they do pass. As for the rest, go to this regulation and that guideline, to conform? For boaters to have on the muddy moorings where you away. Go somewhere else. Your en- or they will be barred from the wa- their boats, their homes, inspected tied up your boats at night, pound- gines are noisy and they smell, as do terways that you kept open? So that and this check box ticked and that ing your stakes into the soil that now your stoves, or your diesel cookers. more and more office-based man- warning issued, and boats seized be- carries a ‘No Mooring’ sign. Middle Classes Only Here, please. agers can push numbers around a cause the regulations had not been I do not know if we can stop the Blocks of flats by the canals are computer screen while the few bank obeyed? Canal and River Trust selling off the exclusive preserve of the wealthy workers who are left stare in be- our land and spending the money now, rather than a dumping ground musement at risk assessment forms Is this why you did it? on things we probably neither want for the socially undesirable. Perhaps and health and safety regulations? I don’t think so. I don’t think this nor need, but I do believe we should this will lead to a decline in inci- was what was in your minds as you remember why we can use the ca- dents of hooliganism and vandalism, Are you still there? dragged rubbish out from under the nals at all now. We must not let the which would be a good thing, but is You would not believe how smart bridge holes with grappling hooks truth itself be buried under a heap of it worth it? What are we losing in ex- and bright the boats are now. The so you could get through, and stop Publicity Assessment and Change of change? No sooner had the residents canal basins are clean, and there are that bit of the canal being built over History application forms. moved into a new luxury block on places to put your rubbish, and there because it could be declared unused the main line in Birmingham than are launderettes and pump-out fa- and derelict. I doubt if you planned Yes, you are still there. But can they, led by a B-list television sleb, cilities, and Elsan disposal, and in for salary rises and bonuses for you hear me? set to work to deprive one of the one of the most famous canals ba- boaters’ favourite pubs of its music sins in the land, a seriously historical licence, and they succeeded. The site, with dozens of boats moored lovely summer evenings spent with on pontoons and alongside neat- What could possibly go wrong? friends sitting in the courtyard lis- ly edged wharves there are exactly tening to music will only ever be a four visitor moorings, and they are memory now. for one night only. Because, you see, Where are the boaters who forced people do not, yet, have to pay to their way through tunnels that had moor on the visitor moorings. The been closed down for fifteen years? profit lies in the moorings where the Who scraped the thick, filthy grease private owners keep their boats. Oh, Fortunately the boater off the chamber walls of the locks yes, they have to pay now, to moor who took this photo was with wooden boards before it peeled their boats, even on their own prop- sufficiently concerned to away and fell onto the boats? Who erty. You didn’t, did you? You who contact the hire company, forced their way under bridges that kept our canals open? Did you have who confirmed that full had been silted up with mud and to pay hundreds of pounds a year to training had been given rubbish? keep your boat on the canal? And and that there was little hundreds more to moor it? more they could do to Still there? Can you hear me? stop hirers behaving Can you hear me? like idiots. They then Is this why you did it? So that man- confirmed they had agement teams and consultants Is this why you did it? So that the contacted the hirers. can sell off the land and earn them- waterways can be run as a business selves fat salaries and commissions? to make fat cats fatter, and the ca- So that work on the waterways can nals prettier and tidier so that the be ‘outsourced’ to any company big land beside it becomes valuable, and enough to pay to get itself on the list, saleable? To make canal boating a and the little traders are shouldered leisure activity for the rich and put aside, and the work force that loved it beyond the reach of the poor? To the canals and really knew how to see the little communities of scruffy maintain and repair them could be people on scruffy boats harried away NABO News Issue 6 Winter 2017 NABO News Issue 6 Winter 2017 30 31 Have Your Say

larger will obviously help, but there is no point solar problem, it is down to us. Thankfully I get Letters to the Editor fitting a large system if you only have a couple of very few calls as most systems are very reliable. Opinions expressed here are independent of NABO policy and 110Ah leisure batteries. For the liveaboard boat- Homework is the key prior to purchase of any statements made have not been verified as true. er, a 660W system is more practical due to our system. Comments I hear regarding panels from varying weather conditions. These ‘unknowns’ Europe as opposed to China are just not valid. are the reason we provide systems that can be There are good efficient panels and there are not A bit of a seasonal warning er like this. What's the point in making your easily expanded without a complete re-wire. If in so good. Again, homework. If in doubt ask for fireplace safe, if you undo all that work by put- doubt, start with 330W; you can always add an- the technical specification of the panel and don't As the clocks go back, the nights draw in and ting something flammable close to the fire? It other two panels (330W) to the system later. be surprised at the efficiency you see. Even good the temperature drops, our burners become will heat up inside without you seeing anything I am not a great fan of ‘flexible panels’, but some quality panels have low (<20%) efficiency. once again central to our boating life. But, every and could catch fire simply like that. “Oh but it people use them. We deal directly with the man- I have been doing this for many years and have year, people die due to the incorrect installation doesn't get that hot”—but think; two possible ufacturers and we have discussed flexible panels. always used mono-crystalline, starting with or use of them. In EVERY case this is because scenarios, a hire boat goes past too fast (yes, un- It is worth noting that panels mounted in an 100W panels. As cell efficiency increased, the something close to the burner caught fire from likely I know) and a log gets dislodged and falls aluminium frame usually have a much longer 100W panel became smaller. Then two years ago, the heat of the burner—the heat, not the flame— against the fire, or perhaps you get distracted and guarantee than flexible panels. The manufactur- I decided to change to the 165W panel after dis- it's a process called ‘pyrolysis’. There's plenty of accidentally leave the air intake open, so the fire ers we deal with only offer a five-year guarantee cussions with the manufacturer, as I needed to information out there about making sure your gets a lot hotter than normal. I have seen both on flexible panels, so if you are considering using ensure that the 165W panel voltage was compat- fire-surround cannot catch fire behind the tiles, of these happen. I have seen the second cause a them it is worth asking the question. I also get ible with my older 100W panels—which brings so I'll assume the burner is a proper distance fire. Please don't do this; don't make it more likely many enquiries for ‘those panels you can walk up another point: panels with a different watt- from inflammable materials, that behind the that your burner causes your boat to catch fire. on’. They are, of course, referring to the flexible age can be used on the same system if configured tiles is proper fireboard (not the crap they sell The loss of your life, danger to your pets, your panels but walking on them is not something I correctly and discussed with your supplier. I have at Wickes as fireboard, but proper stuff—if in personal possessions, are all life-changing. I would recommend. Boaters tend to have prac- old customers where I have fitted one new 165W doubt, ask). don't want anyone to have to drag you out of a tical weatherproof boots, which easily pick up panel with two old 100W panels onto an exist- So that leaves stuff getting close to the fire. burning boat. Keep safe. stones. Walk on a flexible panel in that situation ing PWM. Curtains are a potential danger, but the picture Chris Pink and say goodbye to your investment. I think it is important to show that solar can be as below prompted me to write this. It's dangerous From the NABO News article: “[The use of an simple or as complicated as you want to make it. and foolhardy to stack wood around the burn- MPPT controller] allows higher solar panel volt- It will not provide all your energy requirements Solar Panels ages such as used in cheaper, domestic panels and there will be many different views from dif- (as low as £100 for 250W) that are then stepped ferent people. Further to the article on solar panels in the last down to the correct charging voltage for the bat- Martin J Worthington issue of NABO News, I would like to make the teries.” Narrow Boat Solar Systems following comments: It is worth noting the problems that you can face In perfect conditions, a 100W panel’s output is when using 250W panels. I get quite a few calls I name this boat … about 5Ah per day. We now provide 165W pan- from people who have purchased these larger els with all our systems. Each panel can provide panels and then bought a PWM controller from If you have spotted a boat name that made up to 8Ah per day. In near-perfect conditions another source and asked why it does not work. you smile, please let me have a photo to use in our 660W system with Tracer 4210A MPPT pro- You need to check the voltage of the panel and future issues. Whether this one is real is moot vides up to 32Ah per day. It is safe to say that the maximum solar input voltage that the PWM but I'm sure we all recognise the sentiment. in winter there are less daylight hours, so even controller accepts, as the combination does not in perfect conditions the daily output will be always work. Mounting the larger panels can also less, and poor conditions will significantly re- cause problems: a lot of boaters like to have space duce the output. On a grey, rainy summer’s day, to walk on the roof and the larger panels usually a 660W system may only provide 4Ah per day. take up too much width, which prohibits space This is why I always state: “solar will not solve down each side. your electrical supply requirements, but it will As with most things, purchasing bits from dif- help, and payback is much shorter than big do- ferent suppliers is not always the best, or the mestic installations. It also helps to prolong the cheapest, option. I try to avoid selling individual life of your batteries and reduces wear and tear parts and prefer to sell full systems (including all on the engine.” Our practical experience over 12 cables and system isolation switch), either ful- Dont try this at home children years, has told us that, for the leisure boaters, a ly fitted by us, or for self-fit with our guidance. Photo: Lou Collins 330W system is a good compromise. Anything This way, I know if I get a call about a possible NABO News Issue 6 Winter 2017 NABO News Issue 6 Winter 2017