Richard Parry is to swap trains for boats as he takes up the role of chief executive of the Canal & River Trust starting this summer.

Joining the Trust after more than a decade in senior roles managing large complex transport and infrastructure organisations, Richard comments: “I am really excited to be joining the Canal & River Trust at such an important phase in the future of the nation’s magnificent waterways. The scale of the opportunity is huge as what we and our supporters do in the next five years will help shape the waterways for the next century.

“I bring a track-record of managing similarly complex and challenging networks, together with experience of working closely with a wide range of interested and passionate people. I’ve got bags of enthusiasm for the waterways and have seen first-hand the shot in the arm that canals provide to the communities they flow through. Out on the towpath I have witnessed the hugely committed staff, volunteers, boaters and other supporters, and I look forward to the challenge ahead.”

Currently at FirstGroup, Richard headed up First’s bid in 2012 for the InterCity West Coast line and more recently has been leading First’s highly-regarded Hull Trains company as well as other wider development programmes across First’s rail businesses. Before that he spent 19 years at London Underground (LU) and Transport for London (TfL) where he had a range of senior roles, spending eight years as a director of LU, including a year as interim LU managing director (2009-10), and then a further 18 months as deputy managing director, TfL Rail and Underground (2010-11).

Richard is also a trustee of People 1st – the sector skills council for hospitality, passenger transport, travel and tourism – which works to transform skills in the sector, particularly in the areas of management and leadership, customer service and craft/technical skills.

Tony Hales, chairman of the Canal & River Trust, said: “I am delighted to welcome Richard to the Canal & River Trust. He joins one of the newest, biggest and brightest entrants in the charity sector – an organisation that shares his passion for the waterways.

“He has fantastic experience of managing complex infrastructure – something which is crucial for our network of lock flights, embankments, soaring aqueducts and other engineering feats of the industrial age. He has a strong record of leading organisations through change and recognises the importance of growing the engagement with the boaters, anglers and millions of others in the community who use and enjoy our wonderful waterways.

“I’m very pleased that Richard is moving from rail to water recognising the renaissance that has seen our canals and rivers come to life and the opportunity we have to give them a bright future.”

Richard, 46, married with two teenage daughters, lives in the West Midlands.

Staff from Marks & Spencer came out in force last week (22-28 April) to help national waterways charity the Canal & River Trust clear more than 12,000kgs of rubbish from over 145 miles of the nation’s historic canals and rivers.

The events were part of the retailer’s second M&S Big Beach Clean-up which, for 2013, was expanded to include 42 canal locations throughout Britain.

On average 30 bags of rubbish were cleared from each site, with more than 1,000 M&S employees heading down to their local canal bank to support the Trust, which works to restore, enhance and educate people about the nation’s 200 year-old network of waterways.

Some of the more unusual items of litter collected included a doll’s house, a vice, a coffee percolator, a transistor radio, a whoopee cushion, fishing rod and a large number of TV’s, shopping trollies and motor bikes.

Caroline Kileavy, head of community engagement at the Canal & River Trust, said: “We are hugely grateful to staff from M&S for the hard work and enthusiasm they showed to help clean up the nation’s waterways. Our canals and river are a national treasure, a haven for wildlife and leisure, and support from an organisation of the stature of M&S recognises the esteem in which they are held. It was clear that all those involved really cared about the environment and were pleased to have the opportunity to make a difference to their local waterway. We were delighted to be part of the Big Beach Clean-up events which have made an important contribution to the work we do to care for the waterways all-year-round.”

The M&S Big Beach Clean-up is part of M&S’s Forever Fish campaign which is funded by the 5p carrier bag charge in M&S foodhalls. Since its introduction in 2008, the charge has reduced carrier bag use by 80 per cent and raised over £4 million for charity.

People can find out more at www.marksandspencer.com/plana and can follow the event on twitter (@marksandspencer or search #beachclean) and facebook (www.facebook.com/marksandspencer).

2 May 2013

After repairs to embankment that was washed away by 24 million litres of water, the Canal & River Trust announced the re-opening of the Trent & Mersey canal at the site of the Dutton Breach.

A stretch of one of the country’s most popular and busiest canals is today (Thursday 2 May) being officially re-opened, after repairs to a section of 200 year-old embankment that collapsed in September 2012, leaving a crater equivalent to the size of 12 double decker buses.

Over 24 million litres of water and 12 thousand tonnes of stones have been needed to restore the Trent & Mersey Canal in Dutton, Cheshire, so that it can once again be enjoyed by boaters, walkers and nature lovers.

The Canal & River Trust – the charity that cares for canals in England and Wales – has invested nearly £2.1 million to complete the repairs, with a further £25,000 being contributed via donations from the public.

It is believed that the 18th century canal embankment became unstable as a result of prolonged rainfall during autumn of last year, which affected embankments around the country. The British Geological Society reported that landslips in the UK increased four to five fold between July and December 2012 compared to previous years.

The Dutton breach saw water flood into a nearby farmer’s field, leaving a 40 metre hole in the canal embankment which shut the waterway and its towpath for over seven months.

To guard against a repeat of the failure, the Trust has installed new drainage at the base of the embankment to help disperse excess ground water and a specialist flexible waterproof liner has been fitted to seal the canal.

Known as the “M6 motorway” of the canal network and built by the pioneering engineer James Brindley during the Industrial Revolution, the 235 year-old Trent & Mersey Canal is 93 ½ miles long and stretches from the Midlands to Cheshire where it forms part of the popular Cheshire Ring.

Vince Moran, operations director for the Canal & River Trust, explains: “We’re delighted to be re-opening this section of the Trent & Mersey Canal ahead of schedule and in time for the main boating season. Fortunately this kind of incident is rare, and we’ve gone to great lenghs to restore the embankment and protect it from this sort of failure in the future.

“We’ve been overwhelmed with the support and kind donations from the public to help us with the repairs. The way that local enthusiasts, community groups, boaters and cyclists have rallied together to help us get the canal open again has been amazing. The incident has demonstrated the love that people have for canals, which are continuing to thrive two centuries after they were built.”

Nigel Huges, chief executive for YMCA birkenhead said: “This waterway is very special to a huge number of people from different and diverse backgrounds and the YMCA uses its unique rural peace and tranquillity to help people escape from the problems and chaos of everyday urban life – to that end it is an invaluable resource to us.  We applaud the work of the Canal & River Trust and the speedy work of the contractors in returning the canal to its former glory and are proud to support the fund-raising initiatives – helping put something back to safeguard this magnificent waterway for future generations to enjoy.”

For more information about the breach visit [canalrivertrust.org.uk]

There have been a number of reports of a distinctly painted narrowboat with white cruiser in tow helping themselves to diesel and various boating item from unattended boats. When I say that the boat is painted in full army-style camouflage, I’m surprised that they haven’t been apprehended by now.

I spotted them yesterday evening going down Alrewas Lock at about 6pm. Unfortunately, my phone battery was flat so I couldn’t call the police until I got home.

If you see these boats, call 101 and quote Incident 684/May 1st.

You might also call CRT’s number’s as I understand they are aware of various transgressions. CRT (8am-8pm) 0303 040 40 40 or out of hours emergency 0800 47 999 47. Note too that Staffordshire have a canal watch Facebook page and this is a good time to use it to keep track of the boats(s) movements.

Lets get these (alleged) pests off the waterways!

The Canal & River Trust’s annual national boat check has revealed that 96.1% of boats on the waterways cared for by the charity hold up-to-date licences. It is the second year running that the figure for licence evasion is below 4% and the fourth year in a row that evasion has been below 5%.

The annual survey was completed in March, with Trust staff visiting over 31,000 boats on waterways in England & Wales. It provides a comprehensive snap-shot of licence evasion, with the information used to support the day-to-day enforcement work carried out by the Trust.

Simon Salem, Canal & River Trust marketing director, said: “It’s positive news that licence evasion has remained below 4%, following the record low of last year. We are now seeing year-on-year consistency, with four consecutive years below 5%, and is particularly encouraging when you consider evasion was over 10% just over five years ago.

“I would like to thank boaters who continue to renew their licences on time, it enables us to save time, effort and ultimately money that can better spent on improving the waterways. We remain committed to reducing the evasion rate in the future and one area of particular focus will be tackling overstaying.”

During 2012/13, the enforcement team removed 72 boats from the network that had failed to obtain a licence or were in breach of other terms and conditions of their licence.

Waterway Charities Line up against Supermarket Developers to save Midlands Waterway Restoration

Issue date: 16th April 2013

The Inland Waterways Association has joined local residents in a battle to prevent private developers’ wrecking the restoration of an historic West Midlands waterway for the community.  

When plans were first agreed by Birmingham City Council for the proposed new Sainsbury store at Selly Oak, a corridor of land along the route of the old Dudley No2 Canal was incorporated along with restoration of the canal, which would be funded by the developers.  The canal, known locally at the Lapal Canal, would eventually connect with Dudley and Stourbridge, and bring tourists to the lesser visited waterways in South East Birmingham.  

The development partnership has, however, now submitted revised plans to try to wriggle out of its commitment to restore the waterway so that it can intensify the development and make more money.

The Inland Waterways Association, which is the national co-ordinating charity for inland waterways interests across the country, and with thousands of members in the West Midlands, has vowed to oppose the latest moves by developers ‘Harvest’ and supermarket giant Sainsbury.  Community, heritage and amenity groups throughout the area are putting in objections to the planning application, and local residents are encouraged to make their views known to councillors.  

Les Etheridge, national chairman of The Inland Waterways Association said ‘Enthusiasts have been working to restore this waterway, often with their own money, for public benefit, for over twenty years and have been building momentum and support from local authorities, funding bodies and organisations that make the restoration a realistic prospect in the near future.  It is simply scandalous that greedy developers can even think of trashing this community effort just to further increase their profits.  It would be simply appalling if the Council’s planners could countenance such a situation.’

The Proposed Redevelopment of Selly Oak Junction, Worcester Birmingham and Dudley No 2 Canals

To enable this site to be developed J Sainsbury’s and Land Securities have set up a joint development company known as Harvest. During March Harvest submitted a planning application to develop the former Selly Oak Junction and the land surrounding it, primarily to create a superstore and a Life Sciences Park.

The scheme that has been submitted to the Planning Authority, Birmingham City Council, does not include the reinstatement, or provision of adequate suitable space there for, of the Dudley No 2 Canal. This, as well as being contrary to City planning policy, will permanently block the route of the former canal that has an active Trust working to secure its restoration. Furthermore the proposals do little to enhance the present unattractive rundown waterway corridor that runs through the site and could, if left unchallenged, leave only section of the Worcester and Birmingham Canal a scar on what is perhaps the most attractive canal leading into the City as unwelcoming backwater.

Because, being the Country’s largest local authority, decisions made by Birmingham are often seen as setting precedents for other local authorities to follow the decisions in regards to the proposal, if they are not the right ones, could have a negative affect future development led waterway restoration and waterside regeneration.

Readers are therefore encourage to object to the proposals, which can be found at [eplanning.birmingham.gov.uk] rch.aspx

Click on Planning Application Number Search andkeying in reference2013/02178/PA, pointing out thatthe application is flawed because it does not meet many of the criteria identified in the Selly Oak Local Action Plan (LAP) adopted in July 2001 as requirements for the regeneration of the Selly Oak area of Birmingham as follows:

The LAP states

1. “Any new development in this area should also assist with the future reinstatement of the former Dudley No 2 (Lapal) Canal. New development should also be designed so that it is well related to the existing Worcester & Birmingham Canal and the reinstated Dudley No 2 Canal

The proposal clearly does not meet that since the ‘protected line’ of the Lapal Canal is proposed to be a green walkway.

1. “British Waterways and the City Council are now committed to working together to ensure the continued renaissance of the canal network as an integral part of the City’s economic, social and environmental well-being.” The LAP also states that Selly Oak is noted to be a stage 1 priority area for this

The proposal clearly goes against that commitment since the un-restored Lapal Canal is not planned to be an integral part the ‘canal network’ and the canal side proposals for the Worcester Birmingham Canal corridor include a linear high rise student apartment block that blocks out much light will make the area unwelcoming.

1. referring to the former PPG13 it includes the statement:that development proposals should not adversely affect inland waterways”

Clearly, the submitted proposal does adversely affect inland waterways since it does not allow for an inland waterway to be restored and adversely affect the setting of the Worcester and Birmingham Canal

1. With reference to the Lapal Canal it states that; Meanwhile, development should restore the section between the Worcester and Birmingham Canal and Selly Oak Park, and the option of restoring the remainder of the canal kept open and Birmingham Canal and Selly Oak Park, and the option of restoring the remainder of the canal kept open

Clearly the proposal does not allow for the restoration of the Lapal Canal

Additional Points

1. The former PPG13 (now absorbed into the National Planning Policy Framework) also states:“local authorities should identify, and where appropriate protect, disused waterways (by allocating land in development plans and ensuring sites and routes are not severed by new development or transport infrastructure), where there is a reasonable degree of certainty of a restoration project proceeding in whole or in part within the plan period.”

Clearly, the proposal does not protect the disused Lapal Canal

1. J Sainsburyhas declared that it operates to certain Values which include the following and which (superficially) run counter to the proposal that has been submitted:

(a) For us, retailing is about more than quality products and great service. It’s also about supporting and helping the communities where we work, and being a good neighbour. We aim for our stores to be at the heart of the communities they serve.

(b) At Sainsbury’s, respecting the environment is about doing the right thing. We aim to be the UK’s greenest grocer, which is great for our business but even better for the environment.

1. The National Planning Policy Framework, issued in March 2012 includes the following statements which are against the proposal that has been submitted:

1. Proposed development that accords with an up-to-date Local Plan should be approved and proposed development that conflicts should be refused unless other material considerations indicate otherwise.

(b) Plans should conserve heritage assets in a manner appropriate to their significance, so that they can be enjoyed for their contribution to the quality of life of this and future generations

The closing date for objections is the 2^nd May 2013 and they should be addressed to Birmingham City Council, Planning and Regeneration, PO Box 28, Birmingham , B1 1TU

The Canal & River Trust have appointed a new trustee, Frances Done.

Following a meeting of the board of Trustees on 28 March 2013 . Tony Hales, Chair of Trustees said

“I’m delighted we’ve appointed Frances, her expertise and experience across a number of sectors make her an outstanding addition.”

Frances is currently Chair of the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales. Her career has spanned public, private and third sectors and between 2003 and 2012 she was Chair of The Waterways Trust.

A graduate of Manchester University and chartered accountant for 38 years, Frances worked for KPMG before becoming Director of Finance and then Chief Executive of Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council. Whilst with the Council she led negotiations on the local authority side for the restoration of the Rochdale Canal.

For three years from 2000, Frances was Chief Executive of Manchester 2002 – the company responsible for organising the successful Manchester Commonwealth Games.

Subsequently she held the post of Managing Director for Local Government, Housing and Criminal Justice at the Audit Commission with responsibility for the Commission’s audit and inspection work in relation to local government in England.

After leaving the Audit Commission, Frances was interim Director General of the Royal British Legion before taking up her current role.

Frances, a regular holiday boater, is married with two grown up sons and lives in Cheshire.Frances said: “It is a huge privilege to have been appointed as a Trustee. I’m fortunate enough to have been involved with the waterways for a number of years, in both professional and personal capacities, and experience the enormous passion people have for the nation’s canals and rivers. It’s exciting times for the Trust, and all who care for the waterways.”

Tony Hales, Chair of the Trust, said: “As a former chair of the Waterways Trust, Frances has a great understanding and enthusiasm for the waterways, and as we aim to get more young people involved with the canals in the coming years, her role with the Youth Justice Board will be invaluable.

The ten Trustees of the Canal & River Trust are legally responsible for ensuring that the Trust works towards its charitable objectives. Trustees are unpaid and take collective decisions on policy and overarching strategy.

via Canal & River Trust News | Frances Done appointed as trustee of the Canal & River Trust.

In the late 1970s, according to the Environment Agency, the otter population was in “severe decline” in the UK

A project to increase the numbers of otters living in canals has been launched by the Canal and River Trust.

The charity said it aimed to boost the number of a species “which was once hunted to near extinction”.

Otter homes, known as holts, and ramps will be installed on the canals in Birmingham and on the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal.

The Angling Trust has called the project “well-intentioned” but said it cannot support it.

Otters are nocturnal

They have a territory of up to 40km (25 miles)

Populations are estimated by monitoring droppings and footprints

The chief executive of the representative body for game, coarse and sea anglers in England, Mark Lloyd, said otter numbers nationwide were “very healthy” and in some places cause “severe problems for fisheries”.

As part of the project, the Canal and River Trust said volunteers will be creating fish refuges to help maintain numbers where otters hunt.

DNA analysis of otter droppings, to work out how many otters are living along the canals in the Midlands and how far they travel along the waterways, will also be carried out.

via BBC News – Canal and River Trust to help otters in West Midlands.

The Canal & River Trust has announced the appointment of a new Trustee, Frances Done, following a meeting of the board of Trustees on 28 March.

Frances is currently Chair of the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales. Her career has spanned public, private and third sectors and between 2003 and 2012 she was Chair of The Waterways Trust.

A graduate of Manchester University and chartered accountant for 38 years, Frances worked for KPMG before becoming Director of Finance and then Chief Executive of Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council. Whilst with the Council she led negotiations on the local authority side for the restoration of the Rochdale Canal.

For three years from 2000, Frances was Chief Executive of Manchester 2002 – the company responsible for organising the successful Manchester Commonwealth Games.

Subsequently she held the post of Managing Director for Local Government, Housing and Criminal Justice at the Audit Commission with responsibility for the Commission’s audit and inspection work in relation to local government in England.

After leaving the Audit Commission, Frances was interim Director General of the Royal British Legion before taking up her current role.

Frances, a regular holiday boater, is married with two grown up sons and lives in Cheshire.

Frances said: “It is a huge privilege to have been appointed as a Trustee. I’m fortunate enough to have been involved with the waterways for a number of years, in both professional and personal capacities, and experience the enormous passion people have for the nation’s canals and rivers. It’s exciting times for the Trust, and all who care for the waterways.”

Tony Hales, Chair of the Trust, said: “I’m delighted we’ve appointed Frances, her expertise and experience across a number of sectors make her an outstanding addition. As a former chair of the Waterways Trust, Frances has a great understanding and enthusiasm for the waterways, and as we aim to get more young people involved with the canals in the coming years, her role with the Youth Justice Board will be invaluable.”

The ten Trustees of the Canal & River Trust are legally responsible for ensuring that the Trust works towards its charitable objectives. Trustees are unpaid and take collective decisions on policy and overarching strategy.

The website Waterways Forward has published an amazing video of Pontcysyllte aqueduct in the snow as you’ve never seen it before……from a helicopter drone surveying the structure.  It demonstrates how innovative digital technologies can be used for data capture, interpretation and dissemination of heritage sites and artefacts using  the latest technical survey and interpretation techniques and their practical application in heritage interpretation, education and conservation.

Waterways Forward partner Canal & River Trust (Formerly British Waterways) has worked with local communities to develop the World Heritage Status of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.

The site consists of a 206 year old aqueduct and an 18km corridor of the Llangollen canal lying adjacent to it. The aqueduct is one of the most significant engineering structures on the British canal system. The corridor contains a wide range of historic canal-related structures and buildings, including tunnels, cuttings, wharves, houses, water control structures and a second major historic aqueduct at nearby Chirk.   UNESCO World Heritage Site status was applied for in 2005, on the 200th year anniversary of the completion of the aqueduct.  The application was successful and in 2009 the status was granted. The application process and successful achievement of status has had beneficial results. Rather than just securing the waterway’s heritage, it has led to the development of tourism in the area as well as giving voice to the local communities who have expressed an interest in becoming involved in the management of the WHS.

via Amazing video of Pontcysyllte Aqueduct ….as you’ve never seen it before! | Waterways Forward blog.

Hundreds of fish will be rescued from the Kennet & Avon Canal this Thursday (21 February), as the charity that looks after the canal carries out vital restoration and repairs to lock gates in Bath.

The Canal & River Trust is completing work on locks 7-13 on Bath Flight, which includes the second deepest lock in the country. Sections of the canal need to be completely drained of water in order to complete the work. The fish, including bream and perch, will be stunned with an electric pulse before being netted and rehomed on another section of the canal.

Robert Eaton, project manager at the Canal & River Trust, said: “Bath flight is right in the heart of the city and hugely popular, with thousands of people visiting it each year. Every winter we carry out essential maintenance work on the canals and rivers and in this case some of the lock gates are in need of a bit of TLC.

“It is quite an extensive operation, but one we are well used to dealing with. Our specialist fish rescue contractors use a low electric pulse which stuns the fish. They are then netted and moved to a safe part of the canal.

“The Trust, with the help of thousands of volunteers, is responsible for maintaining and improving the nation’s waterways. We spend around £50m nationwide every winter on lock gate replacements, brick work repairs, as well as embankment maintenance, works on reservoirs and many other activities. It is painstaking work, involving engineering, heritage and environment expertise. But with the canals and rivers playing such an important role in local communities and being home to such an array of wildlife, it is important work and well worth it.”

Following the fish rescue, the repair work will take place at locks 7-13 on Bath Flight, which begins just over Halfpenny Bridge behind the train station. The fish rescue will be completed this weekand the lock repairs expected to be complete by the middle of March.

Locks 8 and 9 in Bath were merged, creating the second deepest lock in the country. The huge chamber is 19ft 5ins (5.92metres) deep.

In all £50m is being invested by the Trust on conservation and maintenance works this winter across 2,000 miles of waterways in England and Wales, replacing 104 lock gates and undertaking other essential repairs.

For more information about the Trust’s winter maintenance programme visit [canalrivertrust.org.uk] An audio tour of Bath Lock Flight is available at [canalrivertrust.org.uk]

Canal & River Trust bank staff have given a resounding vote in favour of new flexible working hours. 88% of union members supported the introduction of ‘annualised hours’ which will see customer services teams working longer hours in the Summer, when the waterways are busiest, and construction teams working longer in the Winter, when the majority of repairs are carried out.

Operations director Vince Moran welcomed the vote saying: “This is an important move for the Trust and I have been really pleased by the positive way our workforce and the unions have embraced the changes. The strength of support they have shown underlines their deep commitment to the historic waterways in our care. Annualised hours will mean a better service for our customers and visitors, and greater efficiencies in how we care for the waterways.”

Jane Ellis from Unison and Phil Allman from Unite, jointly commented: “The trade unions recognise that both parties have moved barriers to allow the workforce to achieve a yes vote on this ground breaking agreement, and especially supported by senior officials from both the trade unions and the Trust.”

The changes, which come into effect from May 2013, will see Trust staff working hours which suit the operational needs of their area, rather than a standard, Monday to Friday, 37-hour week. This will mean that an individual’s 1,931 working hours will be distributed across the year as needed. 

The Canal & River Trust – the new charity responsible for 2,000 miles of waterways in England and Wales – is recruiting a Chairperson for its Kennet & Avon Waterway Partnership.

The Waterway Partnership plays a key part in shaping how the Kennet & Avon and Bridgwater & Taunton Canals are run, and importantly is helping to give people a greater role in looking after their local waterways.

Reporting to the chair of trustees and council, the Chair of the Partnership is a lead ambassador for the waterway. In addition to having a track record of championing the interests of community and voluntary sector organisations, it will be important for the Chair to have experience of working with local authorities and business at a senior level.

The role is voluntary with expenses paid and will involve approximately two-four days a month.

Roger Hanbury, head of governance services at the Canal & River Trust, said: “This is an exciting role in a new charity. We are looking for an outstanding person to help take us forward as the Trust develops its work in its formative years.

“The Kennet & Avon and Bridgwater & Taunton Canals cover a huge geographical area and play an extremely important and varied role in the communities which they run through. As an ambassador for the waterways, the new Chair will have a crucial role in helping local people enjoy their waterways and improve them for future generations.”

More details about the role are available at [canalrivertrust.org.uk] If you wish to discuss further contact Mark Stephens, Waterway Manager, on 01380 737901.

If you would like to apply please complete our application form and return to brenda.adams@canalrivertrust.org.uk by 11 March 2013.

The Canal & River Trust is seeking an amendment to the Growth & Infrastructure Bill which it believes undermines planning protections to its 2,000-mile network of historic waterways.

Swans at Mercia Marina by Darren Amphlett

The Trust has written to the Government setting out its objections to the Bill, and requesting that the same protection be given its canals and rivers as that afforded to land held by the National Trust.

The Trust is very concerned that provisions in the Bill put the unique public assets which it cares for, and the public benefit they deliver, at significant risk. The provisions of the Bill provide that they will be treated in planning terms significantly less favourably than National Trust land held inalienably (that includes historic waterways) and yet the value of each to the nation are the same regardless of the different trusteeship.

The Trust’s letter to Government

17th January 2013

Mr Richard Benyon MP

Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Natural Environment, Water and Rural Affairs

DEFRA

Dear Minister

Growth and Infrastructure Bill

As you know Canal & River Trust holds the waterways it cares for in trust on behalf of the nation in perpetuity. That trust arrangement made by the Secretary of State, and the public benefit it now preserves in perpetuity, is something which I know you consider to be a key achievement and outcome of the transfer of the waterway network from British Waterways to the Trust.

The Trust is very concerned that provisions in the Growth & Infrastructure Bill (due to be debated in a Committee of the whole House in the Lords on Tuesday 22nd January) put that achievement and benefit at significant risk. Protections currently provided to waterways (whether as statutory undertaker land or as open space) under the planning system are to be removed or severely diluted by the Bill. In particular land of statutory undertakers and most open space is to lose the protection of the special parliamentary procedure where a compulsory purchase proposal is objected to.

The Trust recognises the importance the government places on the growth agenda and the intention behind the provisions of the Bill to remove unnecessary constraints on growth. Nevertheless the Bill does also recognises that certain publicly valued and enjoyed land is, in the event of proposed compulsory acquisition, deserving of higher levels of scrutiny and justification primarily through application of the special parliamentary procedure in cases of unresolved objection.

In particular it is noted that National Trust land held inalienably (including its waterways) will under the provisions of the Bill be afforded a higher threshold of justification and scrutiny in determining compulsory acquisition proposals than would be afforded to the historic Canal & River Trust waterway network. Canal & River Trust considers the waterway land settled on it by Government to be held in perpetuity on behalf of the nation is deserving of equal treatment to that (including waterways) held by the National Trust inalienably.

Canal & River Trust is not seeking outright protection of the historic waterways – it recognises that the public interest in permitting nationally significant developments (which the Bill will extend to business and commercial developments) may outweigh the public interest in preserving the waterways and their unique public benefit. Such justification should however be subject to the same threshold and scrutiny as is now thought appropriate for land held by the National Trust inalienably. Both National Trust and Canal & River Trust land have special qualities that are not readily (or at all) preserved by substitution as may be the case for ordinary open space. Nor are historic waterways analogous to the land of other statutory undertakers who are simply providing public utilities (where substitution or re-routing has little impact).

Our understanding is that your Department raised with the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) the position of the Trust not only as a statutory undertaker but as trustee of the Waterways Infrastructure Trust Settlement. Unfortunately we were neither approached about the impact of the proposed changes nor were they brought to our attention. As you can appreciate therefore, this letter is being sent somewhat late in the parliamentary progress of the Bill but not so late that a simple amendment affording the same treatment of the waterways held by Canal & River Trust in trust on behalf of the nation as that of land held by the National Trust inalienably. Anything less would be an exceptionally disappointing dilution of the impact and effectiveness of the Trust Settlement so recently agreed to by the Government.

Given the complexity of the planning legislation proposed for amendment by the Bill, I attach a short explanatory note of the differential treatment proposed by the Bill.

I accordingly ask you to urgently press your ministerial colleagues at DCLG to move a modest amendment to the Bill in the Lords providing for such equal treatment. I have also written to Baroness Hanham and Lord de Mauley given their departmental positions in the House of Lords and Eric Pickles. I enclose a copy of the correspondence for your information.

Please do let me know if you have any questions. I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience, given the short time scale we are working to.

via Canal & River Trust News | Canal & River Trust seeks planning protection for historic waterways.

The Canal & River Trust, the new charity that is the guardian of 2,000 miles of waterways across England and Wales, is searching for an exceptional financially qualified individual to join its Board of Trustees.

One of the largest charities in the UK, with a turnover of around £180 million, the Trust has exciting opportunities to attract new investment and establish new sources of voluntary funding. It has in its care the nation’s third largest collection of listed heritage structures, as well as museums, archives, and hundreds of important wildlife sites. As a new charity, the Trust is giving the public a greater say than ever in the running of their local canal or river.

The Trust is seeking to appoint a financially qualified Trustee to join the main board, chair the Audit Committee and join the Investment Committee. The successful candidate will bring significant corporate finance experience, along with Board or Senior Management level experience in an organisation of similar scale and complexity. With an empathy with the natural and built heritage of the inland waterways, he or she will play a key role in developing the vision and strategy of this important organisation.

Tony Hales, chair of the Canal & River Trust, said: “This is an exciting time to join the Canal & River Trust, in its first year as a vibrant new charity. Waterways connect communities, bring wildlife into town centres and provide a way for us to get in touch with our heritage. Our canals and rivers are enjoyed by boaters, walkers, cyclists and anglers, young and old alike, and it is our passion to look after them for future generations. We are seeking an exceptional Trustee who is as enthusiastic about the waterways as we are and who can play a vital part in ensuring they continue to flourish.”

The role is being advertised on exec-appointments.com and the Sunday Times online: [appointments.thesundaytimes.co.uk] .

The deadline for applications is noon on Monday 4 February 2013.

The role is a three year appointment to which the candidate will devote approximately three days a month. The post is a volunteer role and will not be remunerated but proper travel and other expenses will be fully reimbursed.

The Canal & River Trust actively encourages diversity in all areas of the organisation to fully reflect the communities around the waterways, their geographic coverage in England and Wales, and to meet the Davies Report’s recommended target relating to the gender balance of boards.

ENDS

For further media requests please contact:

Fran Read, press officer, Canal & River Trust

t 020 7985 7276 m 07796 610427 e fran.read@canalrivertrust.org.uk

Please find a copy of the full release with Notes to Editors attached.

——————————————–

Fran Read

National Press Officer

T 020 3204 4429 M 07796 610 427

Canal & River Trust, Toll House, Delamere Terrace, London, W2 6ND

Twitter: @canalrivertrust

Please note that we have moved offices: the details above are updated.

The Canal & River Trust is a new charity entrusted with the care of 2,000 miles of waterways in England and Wales. Get involved, join us – Visit / Donate / Volunteer at www.canalrivertrust.org.uk

Canal & River Trust is a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England & Wales with company number 7807276 and charity number 1146792. Registered office address First Floor North, Station House, 500 Elder Gate, Milton Keynes MK9 1BB.

Join the forum discussion on this post

After ten years as chief executive of British Waterways and (since July 2012) the Canal & River Trust, Robin Evans has decided to step down at the end of May 2013. Robin said: “I want to pursue other interests and opportunities and now the Trust is firmly established I feel it’s the right time for me to move on and a perfect time for the Trust to have a new leader.”

He added: “It has been a privilege to lead these two great organisations and I am very proud of what we have achieved over the past ten years. Having agreed the transfer of the waterways into the Third Sector together with £500m of endowment property and a 15 year funding agreement from government, the Trust is on a more secure financial footing with a more positive outlook than we’ve probably ever had.

“I will always be grateful for the encouragement and support of a great many people both inside and outside of the Trust who have helped lay what I believe are the foundations for a strong and vibrant future for our much loved waterways.”

Tony Hales, chair of the Canal & River Trust, said: “Robin told us in November that he intended to step down in May and we will be very sorry to lose him. He has served with great dedication and inspirational vision. His determination to see that vision realised in the foundation of the Trust, has transformed the long term prospects for the waterways. The former Board of British Waterways and the current Trustees wish him well and thank him for his outstanding contribution to the canals and rivers we all love.”

The Trustees will now begin the search for a new chief executive and more details will be announced shortly.

Tony Hales has been asked by Trustees to stay on as chair to help ensure a smooth transition and he has kindly agreed to do so.

The Canal & River Trust is today (Tuesday 27 ) re-opening a 12 mile section of the Trent & Mersey Canal five weeks ahead of schedule following serious damage caused by the exceptionally heavy rainfall in September.

The Trust has invested nearly £400k to fix the damaged embankment at Croxton following the extreme weather conditions. Contractors have now completed the main repair works ahead of schedule enabling the canal to be re-opened between Middlewich and Dutton.

Anyone wishing to support this emergency appeal to repair the breach can log on to www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/breach or alternately text BREACH to 70800. Every penny donated will go directly to repairing the canal.

Following the breach at Dutton Hollow near Preston Brook and damaged embankment at Croxton, temporary dams were put in place at Croxton closing access to a12 mile length of canal between the Croxton and the breach at Dutton. Fencing was also put in place to prevent towpath users accessing the breach site. Now the dams and fencing have been removed opening up navigation to Dutton.

Works to rebuild the embankment included, the construction of new stone foundations, then reconstruction of the embankment. This was then finished with the installation of a specialist ‘enkamat’- a flexible three-dimensional mat – which has been fitted over the new embankment. Concrete works to increase the height of the crest of the embankment, and also the free board have also been completed which will help eradicate the low point on the wash wall and reduce the chance of the canal over topping again at this point.

The charity, which cares for 2,000 miles of canals, rivers and docks in England and Wales, is covering the cost of the repairs from its contingency fund but this will divert money from other maintenance and improvement works.

Paul Brown, project manager for the Canal & River Trust, explains: “Our contractors have worked extremely hard over the last few weeks to repair the badly damaged embankment. I’m delighted that we have finished the works ahead of schedule and we can now re-open 12 miles of canal. We will now be focussing all our efforts to repair the major breach at Dutton.”

Walter Menzies, Chairman of the Canal & River Trust’s Manchester & Pennines Partnership, adds “As a new charity the Trust has been overwhelmed by the support and kind donations we have received to help us with the repairs. This incident has served as a real life demonstration of the love that people have for canals, an important part of the nation’s heritage, and we very much hope their support will continue.”

Engineers are currently completing the designs for the reconstruction works at the Dutton breach. Over the next week contractors will begin works to gain access to the site allowing repair works to start.

The Canal & River Trust welcomes the Judgment of Mrs Justice Cox DBE, issued in the High Court on 16 November 2012, which has fully endorsed the Trust’s 2011 Guidance For Boaters Without A Home Mooring as a correct interpretation of the law.

In her 26 page Judgment, which followed an earlier oral hearing, she confirmed that the Trust’s Guidance was a correct interpretation of the statutory provisions underlying the Guidance and refused permission for Nick Brown, a leading figure in the National Bargee Travellers Association, to have the Guidance judicially reviewed.

Mr Brown sought to challenge the Guidance as unlawful under a number of grounds and arguments, all of which Mrs Justice Cox rejected.

·On considering Mr Brown’s assertions that the Guidance misstates the correct legal interpretation of section 17(3)(c)(ii) of the British Waterways Act 1995, the Judge concluded that the interpretation of the statutory provision in the Guidance is correct.

·Noting that such argument relied on extensive reference to Minutes of the Select Committee considering the Bill that became the 1995 Act, she states “none of the comments relied on….amounts to a clear statement that the relevant statutory provision was intended to have the meaning for which the Claimant [Mr Brown] now contends” and that Mr Brown’s “suggestion …that these minutes represent “the crystallisation of the will of Parliament” is…erroneous.”

·Mr Brown’s argument that a good reason for not adhering to the ’14 day rule’ could include personal choice was, she stated, “unsustainable”.

·Mr Brown’s argument that the Guidance infringes rights under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights were, the Judge stated, “misconceived” and that there was, in her judgment, “no arguable human rights point in the Claimant’s grounds.”

·Furthermore, Mr Brown’s “suggestion that choosing to live his life on a boat amounts to a genuine philosophical belief within the meaning of the Equality Act is, in my judgment, without merit”.

In confirming the earlier order of Mr Justice Eder that Mr Brown pay the Trust’s costs of £15,000, Mrs Justice Cox observed that “the high figure is clearly due to the extensive work carried out by those representing the Defendant [the Trust] in order to respond to the detailed grounds being advanced by the Claimant [Mr Brown] in substantial documentation.”

Nigel Johnson, legal director of the Canal & River Trust, comments: “It is very unusual for such a comprehensive written judgment to be given in a permission hearing and it is even more unusual for it to be given an official citation number – meaning it will be an officially reported case. It is a definitive and authoritative statement of the law that will be of great benefit to any future enforcement cases.”

The written judgment handed down by Mrs Justice Cox is available to view online at: [canalrivertrust.org.uk] .

The Canal & River Trust’s Guidance For Boaters Without A Home Mooring is available to view online at: [canalrivertrust.org.uk] . 

2 November 2012

Responsible for looking after 2,000 miles of waterways in England and Wales, the Canal & River Trust has been described as ‘the longest local authority in the country’. As a newly established charity, the trust is making the nation’s canals and rivers more relevant to communities than ever before.

The trust works with hundreds of councils on issues from moorings and parking to planning and flood safety. Maintaining the 200-year-old canal network, including the numerous conservation sites and listed structures, as well as keeping the waterways safe and fun for 12 million boaters and visitors each year, are among our core duties.

But as a new charity – as with local authorities in this economic age – we now need to work with communities more than ever before. This means engaging new groups to support our projects, fundraising in different ways and building partnerships that benefit the wider community, beyond the passionate groups already involved with the waterways.

One example of this is our partnership with five councils to repaint the historic Iron Trunk Aqueduct in Cosgrove, Northamptonshire. A conservation project grew into something much more with local support, extending to local businesses, charities and schools, which helped to provide new interpretation panels for visitors, resurface a car park and create a series of walks. Interest was evident when more than 3,000 people came to our open day to hear about the project.

South Northamptonshire’s economic development strategy recognises the significant impact to the visitor economy, with the Grand Union Canal attracting around 2.6 million visits each year, worth £9.7 million.

We are now delivering a number of similar projects with councils to ensure the canal network contributes positively to the identity, history, tourism and education of local communities well into the future.

James Clifton is Enterprise Manager at the Canal & River Trust.

For more information on the Canal & River Trust visit their website:

Canal & River Trust

via Features | Local Government Association.

From The Oxford Times

2:40 pm Saturday 17th November 2012 in Oxford By Freddie Whittaker, covering Politics and Kidlington. Call me on 01865 425498

A witness appeal has been launched after a boat fire in Wolvercote.

Police were called after the blaze on the vessel, which was moored on the canal near to the Peartree Roundabout.

The emergency call was made at around 11pm on Friday night.

Det Ch Insp Andy Bird said: “We are currently working closely with the fire service to establish the full circumstances surrounding how the fire happened.

“I would like to urge anyone who might have seen what happened or has information to help us with our enquiries and has not yet spoken to a police officer to come forward.”

Anyone with information which could help the police should contact the police by calling 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Editor’s comment: I have been personally too close to comfort to two fires – one of which was almost certainly arson – and I am pleased to see that the police are taking this one seriously. I urge anyone who has any information about this incident to contact the police.

via Police investigate Wolvercote boat fire (From The Oxford Times).

Itinerant live-aboard boaters are carrying on their legal challenge of the Canal & River Trust’s unlawful harassment of boat dwellers without home moorings.

Following refusal of permission to bring a Judicial Review of the Guidance for Boaters Without a Home Mooring live-aboard boater Nick Brown confirmed that he is to appeal.

“The judgement contains at least 20 errors in law”, said Brown who is an officer of the NBTA.

The Guidance was published by British Waterways (CRTs forebear) in October 2011 and incorporated into the Licence Terms and Conditions.

The judgement refusing permission was handed down by Mrs Justice Cox in the High Court today. The case continues.

November 16th 2012

The Canal & River Trust (CRT) announce that they have appointed David Quarmby CBE as the Chairman of a Freight Advisory Group to help establish our policy on inland waterway freight and provide strategic advice to the executive management on freight issues.

Freight on the River Trent

Mr Quarmby is a respected transport professional with a wealth of experience encompassing business, government, public bodies and academia. Joining him on the Group are practitioners and experts in waterborne freight and the wider freight/logistics industry, including:

Mike Garratt, Managing Director, MDS Transmodal, a logistics consultant with knowledge of all transport modes including inland waterways

Mark Grimshaw-Smith, Head of Rail and Sea freight operations for CEMEX UK

James Hookham, Managing Director, Policy & Communications from the Freight Transport Association

David Lowe, Chairman of the Commercial Boat Operators Association with over 40 years’ experience owning, managing and advising others on water freight businesses, passenger and hire vessels, restaurant boats, boat builders and boat yards

Dr Heather McLoughlin, Director of the Business School at Canterbury Christ Church University and previously Director of Sea & Water with particular knowledge of waterways, freight and logistics

Ian Wainwright, Road Freight Programme Manager at Transport for London and previously Senior Policy Officer for Freight having spent 18 years in the logistics business

David Quarmby comments: “I am delighted to support the Canal & River Trust and assist in developing a sustainable and affordable freight policy for the inland waterways in its care.

“Whilst it is leisure and recreation that underpins much of the canal and rivers’ renaissance, we should not forget that the waterways may still provide a viable, affordable and greener alternative to road transport in certain circumstances, particularly on the larger more commercial waterways.”

Robin Evans, Chief Executive of the Canal & River Trust, adds: “I very much look forward to working with David.  He has a great reputation and standing within the transport and logistics industry and I am delighted he has agreed to take on this role.

“David has assembled an advisory group that brings together people with considerable expertise and knowledge of inland waterway freight operation and those with knowledge of the wider logistics industry. They will help us create the right freight policy. We are fortunate to have engaged so many good people on this and our other advisory groups to provide advice and help shape policy for the nation’s waterways.”

The Freight Advisory Group will be supported by the Trust’s Head of Enterprise (South Wales and Southern England) and the North East Waterway Manager who have practical knowledge and experience of all Trust’s activities and, in particular, freight operations. In addition, John Dodwell, Trustee of the Canal & River Trust, has also been invited to attend the Advisory Group’s meeting because of his great interest and knowledge about waterway freight.

The Group will meet as necessary over the next few months to develop a freight policy. Thereafter it is intended to meet half yearly.  Membership of the committee is voluntary and unsalaried although reasonable expenses will be paid to members.

If you would like to receive a copy of the Draft Freight Policy for the Canal & River Trust once it has been prepared for consultation (which is likely to be in the summer of 2013) please email your contact details to freightadvisorygroup@canalrivertrust.org.uk .

via Canal & River Trust News | Freight Advisory Group appointed.

November 16th 2012

The Canal & River Trust (CRT) announce that they have appointed David Quarmby CBE as the Chairman of a Freight Advisory Group to help establish our policy on inland waterway freight and provide strategic advice to the executive management on freight issues.

Freight on the River Trent

Mr Quarmby is a respected transport professional with a wealth of experience encompassing business, government, public bodies and academia. Joining him on the Group are practitioners and experts in waterborne freight and the wider freight/logistics industry, including:

Mike Garratt, Managing Director, MDS Transmodal, a logistics consultant with knowledge of all transport modes including inland waterways

Mark Grimshaw-Smith, Head of Rail and Sea freight operations for CEMEX UK

James Hookham, Managing Director, Policy & Communications from the Freight Transport Association

David Lowe, Chairman of the Commercial Boat Operators Association with over 40 years’ experience owning, managing and advising others on water freight businesses, passenger and hire vessels, restaurant boats, boat builders and boat yards

Dr Heather McLoughlin, Director of the Business School at Canterbury Christ Church University and previously Director of Sea & Water with particular knowledge of waterways, freight and logistics

Ian Wainwright, Road Freight Programme Manager at Transport for London and previously Senior Policy Officer for Freight having spent 18 years in the logistics business

David Quarmby comments: “I am delighted to support the Canal & River Trust and assist in developing a sustainable and affordable freight policy for the inland waterways in its care.

“Whilst it is leisure and recreation that underpins much of the canal and rivers’ renaissance, we should not forget that the waterways may still provide a viable, affordable and greener alternative to road transport in certain circumstances, particularly on the larger more commercial waterways.”

Robin Evans, Chief Executive of the Canal & River Trust, adds: “I very much look forward to working with David.  He has a great reputation and standing within the transport and logistics industry and I am delighted he has agreed to take on this role.

“David has assembled an advisory group that brings together people with considerable expertise and knowledge of inland waterway freight operation and those with knowledge of the wider logistics industry. They will help us create the right freight policy. We are fortunate to have engaged so many good people on this and our other advisory groups to provide advice and help shape policy for the nation’s waterways.”

The Freight Advisory Group will be supported by the Trust’s Head of Enterprise (South Wales and Southern England) and the North East Waterway Manager who have practical knowledge and experience of all Trust’s activities and, in particular, freight operations. In addition, John Dodwell, Trustee of the Canal & River Trust, has also been invited to attend the Advisory Group’s meeting because of his great interest and knowledge about waterway freight.

The Group will meet as necessary over the next few months to develop a freight policy. Thereafter it is intended to meet half yearly.  Membership of the committee is voluntary and unsalaried although reasonable expenses will be paid to members.

If you would like to receive a copy of the Draft Freight Policy for the Canal & River Trust once it has been prepared for consultation (which is likely to be in the summer of 2013) please email your contact details to freightadvisorygroup@canalrivertrust.org.uk .

via Canal & River Trust News | Freight Advisory Group appointed.

RYA reports that it has managed to get the proposed EU article on harmonising watercraft licences removed.

The proposed legislative article, put forward by a Dutch MEP to a revision of the Recreational Craft Directive (RCD), removed.

There has been considerable concern about the European Parliament’s latest amendments to a revision of the RCD.

In particular an amendment which urged the commission to: consider submitting proposals to harmonise watercraft licences at Union level, to encourage regular technical checks and to prevent tax evasion by discouraging the use of agricultural diesel.

Immediate response

The RYA immediately responded to all involved in the revision to object to the new article in the strongest terms. Stating that it was our clear belief that the proposal had nothing to do with laying down essential safety requirements that manufacturers must adhere to when designing watercraft and when placing them on the EU market.

As a result the article has been removed from the Directive revision and now appears as a paragraph (recital) in the preamble.

No legal force

Stuart Carruthers, Cruising Manager said: “This proposal has no legal force now because it is simply a recital, not an article within the Directive. However, it has only served to confuse and alarm people because it draws the Commission’s attention to these issues.

“It is the RYA’s position that the sole remit of the Directive is to lay down the essential technical and safety requirements for watercraft that are bought and used in the EU.

“We have made representations to the Chairman of the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee, the current Presidency of the EU and to the UK Government to make clear our view that the RCD revision should not include these recommendations as they cover issues that do not fall within the EU’s responsibilities.

Removal altogether

The RYA has been involved in the revision of the RCD with the Directorate-General for Enterprise and Industry (DG ENTR) and the UK Government since work started in 2008.

“We became aware that the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (responsible for tabling a report on the Revision to the European Parliament) had added a new legislative article to the revision at the request of Dutch MEP Toine Manders who wanted to draw attention to these issues and we made our position clear at that time” concludes Stuart.

The RYA is urging the UK Government to ensure that this text is removed altogether from the RCD Directive during final negotiations before it is approved.

via RYA gets article removed from Recreational Craft Directive revision | News | News & Events | RYA.

Monday 5th November 2012 By Lewis Cowen

Rob Dean, who takes over as chairman of the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust in January announced that the Trust has launched a campaign, but it is not looking for money so much as more people.

The trust, which has its headquarters at Devizes Wharf, has identified £4million of work that needs doing on the buildings it is responsible for along the length of the canal from Bath to Reading.

Now it is not asking people to dig into their pockets but rather to spare a few hours a month to help out. Rob Dean, who is taking over as chairman of the trust from Mike Rodd in January, said: “What the trust has achieved over the years is all about volunteering.

“It has brought together hundreds of people who have given thousands of hours of their time and we feel this is the right way to solve the problems that face the trust, especially in a period of financial restraint when everyone is constantly being asked to give. If we get the people the money will follow.”

The main cause for concern is the Crofton pumping station near Burbage.

Its renowned steam-driven beam engines are original and have been restored and maintained by volunteers. Mr Dean said: “Now all we need to do is restore the building, which is in danger of falling down. It is our biggest asset and our biggest liability.”

Volunteers are also needed to develop a new visitor centre and to help out in the cafe. The trust’s Devizes HQ has had a lot of money spent on it in recent years to make it structurally sound and now it needs the help of volunteers to make it work better.

Mr Dean said: “The museum feels very 1970s. It is difficult to attract and hold the attention of young people.”

The trust is contemplating switching the cafe and the museum around in the building, to make the museum more accessible.

Mr Dean added: “We want to get a lot more young people involved and we also want to collaborate with other organisations to bring the canal into the 21st century. To be successful in the 21st century it has to be accessible and that will be our priority.”

For information on volunteering go to www.katrust.org.uk.

via Canal trust in call for more helpers (From Wiltshire Times).

Join the forum discussion on this post

During a recent European Parliament session a Dutch MEP raised the prospect of a Directive that has the potential to add a tier of unnecessary bureaucracy for boat owners.

The request for an additional Directive came during a committee discussion over an existing straightforward Recreational Craft Directive which covers boat manufacturing and the requisite safety and emissions standards.

In discussions around this Directive a Dutch MEP proposed the following:

“There is no harmonisation or level playing field with regard to water craft licences or technical checks, and tax evasion can still take place through the use of agricultural diesel. Therefore the Commission should consider submitting proposals to harmonise water craft licences at Union level, to encourage regular technical checks and to prevent tax evasion by discouraging the use of agricultural diesel.”

This amendment if unchallenged would have major implications for all UK boaters as it introduces the idea of compulsory driving-type licences for boaters, compulsory checks on boats and threatens the supply of red diesel.

The Canal & River Trust is contacting EU and UK politicians and officials to register its concern that this approach would cause unnecessary cost for the boating community and should be rejected at the earliest stage possible.

We would also urge boaters, canal societies and boating companies to engage with the Inland Waterways Association campaign on this issue and write to your local MEP flagging-up the issue and asking them to lobby Malcolm Harbour MEP the Chair of the committee discussing the Directive.

The relevant information can be found at: [https:]

via Canal & River Trust News | Say no to EU red tape.

How will the Thames look in ten or 15 years time?

A conference held at Oxford Town Hall kick-started the process of drawing up a strategic plan for the river over the next few years.

Fifty delegates attended a River Thames Alliance meeting including representatives from riverside councils, riparian owners, and societies connected with the river as well as the Environment Agency.

Aim of the exercise is to draw up priorities for the future and urge organisations to act together to implement them. Subjects included planning, recreation, tourism, environment.

They are being asked to work on a draft Thames waterway plan  which will go out for consultation next year. The vision is for the partnership of public and private sector organisations to work together to implement the final objectives along the river across local council boundaries.

A previous waterway plan covered the years 2002 -2011. Time, delegates were told, to draw up another.

Chairman John Edmonds cited recent tightening of rules on illegal and overstay moorings as an example of how organisations can work together.

He said the top concerns for the future from soundings so far were flood risk and access to the river.

Among the ideas which came up during day’s discussions were:

Establishing a series of ‘hot spots’, every ten miles along the river. They could have slipways, cafes, be near public transport, and on walking routes.

Encouraging schools to use the river more for recreation.

Promoting the river more as a resource for health and well-being, perhaps linking with doctors and health trusts.

Learning environmental lessons from Dorney Lake;

Considering a series of nature reserves along the river.

John Hall-Craggs representing rowers on the river emphasised the impact the Olympics and Paralympics and underlined the importance of sporting clubs working together.

He said there were no facilities for disabled athletes anywhere along the river.

via River Thames News.

Join the forum discussion on this post

Boat registration charges for the non-tidal Thames are to go up by 4.6% – inflation plus 2%.

But fees for commercial boats will be frozen at 2011 levels for another three years.

The Environment Agency is also introducing changes for boats sold or bought during the year.

It says the increases are measures to help finance all the rivers it administers in the light of reduced Government funding. And it warns “in worst cases” rivers could be closed to navigation if funding does not keep pace with costs.

And with a clear indication of possible changes ahead the agency said in a statement; “We are also engaging the support of local people and communities to jointly operate, maintain and own their navigations and how they are used and developed. “

Following the creation of the Canal and River Trust which took over responsibility for canals earlier this year, a decision will be taken in two years’ time whether or not the Thames and other EA rivers should also be transferred to the new body.

In its latest statement the EA said: “We developed this charging plan to work towards reducing our reliance on public funding as we need to provide a sustainable future for our navigations going forward, regardless of who manages and operates them.”

The registration hike is based on July’s Consumer Price Index, which was 2.6%, plus 2%.  For the first time refunds will be available for boats sold during the year. Similarly licences for new boats registered during the year will not to be backdated to January 1st. Direct Debit payments will be available over 10 months.

The EA statement went on “Increased funding from charges is part of a wider package as our waterways teams reduce their operating costs, prioritise funding to protect capital investment, increase income from commercial and external sources and, deliver a sustainable service that meets the needs of our different customers as best we can.”

“Cost inflation and reductions in public funding mean we must increase our income and reduce our costs to best sustain the needs of our waterways.

“Not increasing our charges to help close the gap will mean that our locks, other assets and associated services that boaters need, will deteriorate at an increasing rate, and in the long term potentially require higher restoration costs.

“This is likely to increase the frequency of operating failures for locks, causing greater delays and closures. In the worst cases, this could result in structures and navigations becoming unsafe or unworkable for use and thereby closed until the funding is found. “

via River Thames News.

Burton Daily Mail reports on ambitious plans for a canal-side development which could turn a former mining village into a tourist destination are to be showcased for the first time.

The scheme will see up to 400 new homes built off Burton Road in Measham, linked by an 800-metre stretch of newly dug canal to a wharf overlooked by shops, offices and leisure outlets.

The project is ultimately planned to link up with the restored section of the Ashby Canal, which would reach the wharf via an aqueduct sweeping dramatically over High Street.

The plans will be displayed at a public consultation meeting organised by developer Ideal Country Homes and Ashby Canal Trust, to be held next week.

Trust spokesman Geoff Pursglove told the Mail: “This development will give Measham a focal point and make the village a destination for visitors from outside the area.“

Mr Pursglove added: “The canal project has been a bit quiet in the past few years, but it’s gathering momentum now and it’s getting very exciting. I think its time has come.”

Measham Wharf scheme would occupy land on the west side of High Street, where The Picture Bar, the disused former cinema and youth club, would be demolished, while the historic Timms hardware store building would be incorporated into the development, its arched rear, ground floor elevation fronting onto the wharf.

Funding is already in place to reopen the Ashby Canal between its current terminus at Snarestone to Ilott Wharf, boosted by £1.75 million received from UK Coal as a condition of its application to mine the Minorca site off Gallows Lane.

Work on that scheme is due to start in the summer, while Mr Pursglove said if funding bids were successful, the entire 2.5-mile stretch to Measham could be completed within three years.

The wharf would occupy a site which served that purpose before the stretch of the canal between Measham and Snarestone was filled in during the 1960s.

The restored canal would enter the village from the east along the route of a disused railway line, crossing the High Street near Measham Library and looping round to the wharf.

The consultation exhibition is scheduled to be held at St Laurence Church Hall, in High Street, on Tuesday, November 13 from 2pm to 8pm.

Everyone is welcome.

via Burton News & Staffordshire Newspaper | Burton On Trent Local Newspaper Headlines | Daily Mail | Canalside dream set to become a reality.

On Friday 2 November 2012, Pendle Today published an appeal from a local councillor who thought that a “Neglected” Barnoldswick beauty spot needed some tender loving care.

As a result Pendle Borough Councillor David Whipp is asking the Canal and River Trust to restore Greenberfield Locks to its former glory.

“Just a few years ago, Greenberfield Locks won the national championship for best-kept locks,” said Coun. Whipp.

“Now, the area is shamefully neglected. The Leeds and Liverpool Canal is Britain’s finest inland waterway, with Barnoldswick’s summit stretch and Greenberfield Locks the crowning glory. But the area is descending into dilapidation.

“Drystone walls are tumbling down; signs, gates and benches are falling to bits; and the area is overgrown and unkempt.

“The locks are a listed landmark – if we’re not careful, they’ll look more like an ancient ruin.”

Coun. Whipp raised the issue at the last meeting of the West Craven Area Committee suggesting that a representative of Canal & River Trust meets councillors at the locks to discuss the problem.

Waterway Watch hopes that someone from CRT will meet with the Council and suggest that as the local community are the beneficiaries of the tourist trade that is brought by the canal, perhaps they should be looking at ways they can improve the state of the locks and surroundings themselves. Local communities around the country are setting up teams of local volunteers and addressing such issues. The Council might consider how much of the ‘dilapidation’ is due to use by local residents.

Cllr Whipp added: “The Canal and Rivers Trust – has taken over running the canal from British Waterways. The trust gets £39 million a year grant from the Government.

Waterway Watch suggests that Cllr Whipp needs to realise that the grant is only 20% of what it costs to run the waterways and that for the waterways to survive it is time local authorities looked at ways they might assist rather than passing the buck all the time. The Pendle Borough Council annual report indicates that they have a total income of £59 million of which £42 million comes from Council Tax.

Cllr. Whipp added “I’m asking them (CRT) to spend a tiny fraction of their funds to renovate Greenberfield and keep it in good order. Waterway Watch notes that Pendle Borough Council has an annual budget of £2.9 million for Parks & Recreation – CRT’s budget for the entire 2,000 mile network is less than 3 times that  - surely Pendle can look after its own recreational areas and let CRT concentrate on navigational issues?

“The locks are an important destination for visitors and very popular with locals, too. They should be in pride of place, not somewhere you’re ashamed of.”

Waterway Watch suggests that if the locks are a source of visitors then your community is benefiting economically, then the Council would be wise to consider reinvesting some of that income to protect it for future years.

Coun. Whipp is hoping to meet with the canal’s operators in the next few weeks.

via CANAL: Plea to improve neglected Barnoldswick locks – Business News – Pendle Today.

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From The Guardian, November 1st 2012

Cyclists should give way to pedestrians as the more vulnerable party, to encourage people to share the towpath considerately.

Walking or cycling along the UKs busiest towpath is at times an unnerving experience, with cyclists, and people on foot jostling for limited space.

Like many urban waterways, Regents Canal towpath in London has become a major traffic-free route across the city, carrying 500 people an hour during peak times.

The Canal & River Trust, formerly British Waterways, advises cyclists to give way to pedestrians as the more vulnerable party, and runs regular events to encourage people to share the towpath considerately.

During one such event on the Regents Canal one foggy autumn morning, London towpath ranger, Dick Vincent, said:

“Because we are a densely populated area it is valuable for everyone as a space away from the traffic where it is quiet.”

He added: “It [users sharing the path considerately] is a huge challenge for the Canal & River Trust.”

Cyclist Tony Hannan has been commuting on the Regents Canal for three years. He echoed the views of many that morning when he said:

“As a cyclist it is a great way to get to work: it is easy, there is no traffic and I think most cyclists are considerate.”There are some idiots but there are idiots on the roads too.”

He adds that he saw one woman walker hit by two cyclists coming out from under a bridge side by side last year. “She was just poll axed,” he said. Thankfully she wasn’t seriously injured.

Caroline Russell, who chairs Islington Living Streets, is among those concerned: “For an elderly person if you have a trip or fall that can be life-changing. It is quite threatening for an older person if you have got someone [cycling] behind you, even if they are being perfectly polite.”

Simona, who has walked the four miles from Broadway Market to Chalk Farm every day for five years, said people have become better at sharing the towpath, but conflicts still occur.

“Sometimes pedestrians become territorial so they become part of the problem,” she said.

The Trust towpath ranger, Kerena Fussell said: “Whenever we do these events people say: When are you going to ban cyclists? because there are always one or two that cycle too fast.”

“People with kids don’t come down here because they are worried their kids will get run over,” she added.

Experiences differ, however: James and Miriam Douglas have walked their two children to school along the canal daily for two years.

Miriam said: “Most cyclists are courteous but there are some that go too fast.”

Vincent concludes simply: “You are welcome to cycle here but you have got to do it with respect for others. That is what all cyclists need to hear loud and clear.”

He says the fact cyclists are choosing a crowded, narrow path next to an open body of water in preference to the roads is an indictment of urban road conditions.

Regents Canal jogger Ozoda Muminova says: “The issue is the sheer number of people.”

“In order to improve the situation, more streets in London should be made car-free to provide alternative routes for walkers, cyclists and runners.”

via How cyclists and pedestrians can share space on canal towpaths | Laura Laker | Environment | guardian.co.uk.

25 October 2012

At meetings in September, the Canal & River Trust’s governing Council and Trustees agreed its interpretation of the law relating to continuous cruising. They also gave backing to a number of new initiatives designed to address misuse of the licensing and mooring rules, including specific proposals for two hotspot areas on the Kennet & Avon Canal and in London.

Simon Salem, marketing director of the Canal & River Trust, said: “The number of people opting to license their boats without a mooring on the basis that they will continuously cruise has increased by 37 per cent since 2007 to 4,400. Most enjoy the waterways and use their boat ‘bona fide’ for navigation in the spirit of the legislation. However, our regular boat sightings give us reason to believe that up to half of people opting to continuously cruise are not currently not doing so within the terms of their licence.”

The Trust’s policy and plans include:

• Greater clarity for continuous cruisers on how to comply with the licence terms, backed by sufficient enforcement to avoid continued growth of non-compliance;
• Stronger enforcement of maximum time limits at visitor moorings, including new signage showing a limit of total days per month as well as the maximum stay time for a single visit;
• The introduction of extended stay charges to deter overstaying, backed by more frequent site visits by the Trust’s enforcement team; and
• A strategic role for the Trust’s Waterway Partnerships in identifying priority areas for action.

At hot spot locations on the western end of Kennet & Avon Canal and within London, the Canal & River Trust is already discussing local solutions in collaboration with local boaters. Nationally there will be more focus on validating new applications for boat licences from boaters without a home mooring, and strengthening boater education in respect of boat licence terms and conditions.

Simon concludes: “The initiatives being announced are good news for the overwhelming majority of boat owners who should not be deterred from exploring parts of the network currently popular with non-compliant continuous cruisers. It is also good news for those continuous cruisers who, although they may have been long-established and have set up home in a particular area, wish to work with the Trust to comply with the terms of their licence.

“Those who live aboard at their home mooring and those continuously cruising within the spirit of the legislation will not be adversely affected by the new initiatives.”

Alan Wildman, chair of the Residential Boat Owners Association (RBOA), comments: “The Residential Boat Owners’ Association welcomes the commitment to tackle the question of non-compliant continuous cruising patterns. RBOA recognises that Canal & River Trust is making a commendable effort to assist those whose present lifestyle falls outside the present Continuous Cruising licence terms. In line with our own policy, RBOA urges those who are non-compliant to work with the Trust and RBOA to resolve this issue once and for all. There is certainly no desire to drive anyone from the inland waterways, only to find a way of us all to work and live together in harmony and within the rules.”

Paul Roper, Chairman of IWA’s Navigation Committee, comments: “IWA has been concerned about this issue and so welcomes the acceptance by the Canal & River Trust that something needs to be urgently done about the problems caused by non-compliant continuous cruisers, and in fact any one over staying, especially on visitor moorings. We look forward to a prompt resolution of this matter for the benefit of all users, whilst having proper regard to applying sympathetic transitional arrangements for any residential boaters who may currently be in default.”

The briefing and policy paper agreed by the Canal & River Trust Council and Trustees at their September meetings is available to view at: www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/council-papers.

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04-Oct-2012

The shrimp, Dikerogammarus haemobaphes, which is a relative of the ‘killer shrimp’, has been found on the River Severn at Tewkesbury and Bevere near Worcester.

It has also been found on two canals in Worcestershire. This is the first time this non-native shrimp, which has been shown to be invasive on mainland Europe, has been found in this country.

The shrimp was found after samples were taken from the River Severn by APEM for Severn Trent Water. Experts were then able to conclusively identify the species as Dikerogammarus haemobaphes. Shortly after, other populations were discovered on the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal and the Worcester and Birmingham Canal. The sites are spread over a distance of approximately 38 kilometres.

While this new invasive shrimp species is related to the ‘killer shrimp’, we are uncertain at this stage what its impact might be. Until we have better information we will, as a precaution, treat it as a high impact species. An immediate assessment of the risks of this shrimp has been commissioned.

We now have a dedicated team in place to establish how far the shrimp has spread along the river and canal network. The local response is also being supported by a National Task Group involving staff from Defra, Welsh Government and expert advisors from the Environment Agency, Natural England and the Countryside Council for Wales.

The Environment Agency and Canal & River Trust are urging all water users to help slow the spread of this invasive species by helping publicise the bio-security advice available. All water users should check, clean and dry all their equipment after use, before using it at another location. Boat users must be particularly careful to ensure that boats and kayaks are drained, cleaned and dried. Boat trailers must also be thoroughly cleaned after use. Anglers should ensure that nets and other equipment are cleaned and dried thoroughly.

If you think you have seen an unusual shrimp, please email a photograph to alert_nonnative@ceh.ac.uk for identification.

David Throup, Environment Manager for the Environment Agency said, “We are concerned that this invasive species has been found in the Midlands. We now have a dedicated team whose focus is to establish the degree of the problem, and whether the shrimp has spread wider than the locations already found. We are treating this as a priority so that we can come up with a plan to help contain it’s spread as far as possible.”

Chris John, National Ecologist for the Canal & River Trust said, “As the charity responsible for caring for 2000 miles of canals and rivers across the country, one of our primary aims is to protect the nations waterways from invasive species such as this. We need the support of people that enjoy the waterways to prevent the shrimp spreading by checking, cleaning and drying any clothes, equipment or craft that could carry invasive species, before and after they visit the waterways, and by reporting any suspected sightings of the shrimp through the dedicated email address.”

via Environment Agency – Invasive shrimp found in West Midlands.

The Port of London Authority has  issued a safety bulletin in response to the sinking of a narrow boat in Limehouse Reach.

On the 24th August a narrow boat was delivered by road to South Dock Marina in London for a new owner. The vessel was lifted into the dock and the new owner requested to lock out of the marina as they had an overnight berth in Limehouse Marina; a short distance up the River Thames.  The vessel departed the lock at 17:00 with 5 adults and 1 dog aboard. The vessel transited directly across the river to the starboard side of the channel and then turned upriver towards Limehouse Marina.

Shortly into their transit the crew noted a change in the engine note and opened the engine room hatch to find the engine half submerged. All persons quickly moved to the stern to try and bail out the engine room, but were unable to cope with the ingress of water into the vessel. The engine room continued to fill with water and flooded into the main cabin, submerging the aft coaming below the water, resulting in severe flooding of the vessel which sank within 10 seconds. All of the crew and the dog entered the water without lifejackets, but were rescued by a nearby RIB and Police Launch.

Safety Lesson to be Drawn

The hull of the vessel had been completely double plated and the increased weight of this plating had resulted in a reduced safety clearance; with the bottom of the engine room vent being positioned approximately 65mm above the waterline. With 3 persons positioned on the aft deck the bottom of the engine room air vent became submerged beneath the waterline by 50mm, the resulting downflooding and sinking of the vessel was inevitable.

The following safety lessons should be carefully considered by narrowboat owners before venturing onto the tidal Thames.

The tidal Thames is considered to be a Category C waterway, where wave heights of up to 1.2m may be encountered and vessels should be suitably prepared to meet these conditions.

Through hull fittings, vents and exhaust outlets should be positioned as high up as practicable on narrowboats to meet the conditions likely to be encountered. Where through hull fittings, vents and exhaust outlets cannot be moved to a safe location consideration should be given as to whether the vessel is suitable to navigate on the tidal Thames.

Where modifications have been made to a vessel, such as the extensive use of double plating, it is important to check that sufficient safety clearance remains for the vessel to safely navigate in the intended waterway.

Lifejackets and other safety equipment should always be provided on board vessels navigating on the tidal Thames and it is strongly recommended that Lifejackets are worn at all times when on deck.

When purchasing a vessel it is essential to have a pre-purchase survey undertaken by a competent surveyor ensuring the surveyor is aware of your intended use of the vessel.

via IWA Bulletin October 2012.

October 4th 2012

Vince Moran, Operations Director of the Canal & River Trust has just issued the following update:

Thank you to all those who have responded to the Trent & Mersey emergency breach appeal – your financial and moral support is much appreciated. The idea of having a public appeal came from a member of one of our Waterway Partnerships in this area – another example of the benefits of these Partnerships.

We are delighted that we have so far raised £7,000 – as a brand new charity this is fantastic and we are extremely grateful to each of the 390 individuals who have chosen to support us. Included in this figure is a gift of £1,000 pledged by the Trent & Mersey Canal Society – the equivalent of half of the annual subscription of each of their members. This incredibly generous donation is also a great show of solidarity that we are very grateful for.

We start each year with a £2m contingency in our budgets. In the early autumn we review if it will be needed or has been allocated already. If not, we plan how to use it: last year we were able to use it largely for a blitz on tree cutting. This year we had already allocated £1m for extra bank protection on the Mon & Brec.

We were about to allocate the other £1m for additional works we were going to do this winter when the Trent & Mersey breached and the Croxton embankment was damaged. Our preliminary repairs estimate is £1.5m, a significant part of which will relate to accessing both sites. So that’s the contingency used up plus a bit more – and am I glad we had that money in our plans. So the repairs will be done as a matter of urgency and we have to work out whether we defer some of the other jobs we had planned for the winter, or continue with those jobs and overspend a bit this year with less money then available next year – the accountants will have to sort out how that all works as my focus is on getting our works done as efficiently and effectively as possible.

As some of the Forum members have said, charities do have appeals – it’s one of the things they do e.g. the National Trust. Whether people contribute is entirely up to them – some of our earlier and most generous gifts have come from the boating community, but we are now working with the local press and volunteers to raise awareness of and generate responses to the appeal from wider segments of the community who also know and love this canal and it’s towpath. We have already received a gift of £250 from Birkenhead YMCA who have supported this canal through volunteering for many years, and who use the narrow boat they moor on it to support homeless and disadvantaged young people.

I have just left both repair sites. Our major civil engineering contractor is on site at Croxton Flash and has already started the preliminary work which includes laying an access track. It looks like at least 50metre of embankment will need to be repaired working from the river below, which will be challenging. At Dutton the Trust’s engineers and local team are assessing the various solutions for what will be a complex repair given the challenges of access to the site – which really is in a quiet and rural location. It has got to be half a mile walk from the nearest bridge and the embankment is on a steep slope. ‘Finger in the air’, the estimate is that 1,000 tonnes of material (the embankment was largely made of sand) has been washed away. As to what caused the breach at Dutton, we’ll never 100% know, however it was certainly down to the saturated ground from such heavy rainfall, probably combined with a tree (still in leaf) that had fallen and destabilised the bank. What we do know is that we had not recorded any leaks at the embankment before the deluge or any other reasons to be overly concerned. We are really grateful to the member of the public who alerted us to a developing problem at the site so that we were able to take action by getting stop planks in before the breach happened.

Vince Moran, Operations Director

The Canal & River Trust is a new charity entrusted with the care of 2,000 miles of waterways in England and Wales. Get involved, join us – Visit / Donate / Volunteer at www.canalrivertrust.org.uk

02 October 2012:

Our reviews of the 2 sites affected by the flooding have continued and preparatory works for the repairs at Croxton have commenced this week.

While this is excellent news this will be a difficult project requiring work in the Weaver river to complete it.

While we do not have a detailed programme for the works this will be a number of weeks at least.

The work required at Dutton is far more extensive, and we are currently working with our contracting partners to determine the design for the repair and the likely timeframe required.

We will advise further when we have more information on this.In the coming week we are working to reduce further the length of canal out of water particularly at the Dutton end. When we have a re-watering plan resolved there we will directly inform the customers whose boats are affected.

The canal and towpath remain closed at Croxton from Big Lock to Bridge 179 at Whatcroft, and at Dutton Hollow from Acton Quay at Bridge 209 to Bridge 213.

Between Whatcroft and Acton the canal level is navigable and customers are able to access the services at Anderton.

Anderton Boat Lift remains operational for access to/ from the Trent and Mersey Canal.

Thank you to everyone who has contacted us in the last few days with their whereabouts. Clearly people may not be able to continue their journeys as they would have wished. For those within the section between Whatcroft and Dutton we are mapping the available mooring locations and expect to be contacting you about these towards the end of this week. The usual winter moorings at Anderton, Acton and Ollershaw Lane will not be accessible this year to persons outside the isolated section.

If your goal was to travel from the south to the Bridgewater Canal, or are on the Bridgewater Canal with the aim of coming through to Middlewich we would ask you now to take the reverse route around the Cheshire Ring. We acknowledge that this will require additional travelling for you and have to apologise for that.

We have made arrangements with the Bridgewater Canal to relax the constraints of the reciprocal licencing agreement to allow this to happen.

However, for this to apply Bridgewater customers on Trust canals should contact our office at Red Bull 01782 785 703 and advise of the timing of your journey; and returning Trust customers currently on the Bridgewater Canal should contact Mike Webb at their offices 0161 629 8200 to provide the same information.

We have been made aware of some parties wishing to use the Manchester Ship canal as a means of sailing from the isolated section, or to access the main canal network. If you are considering this and wish to be part of a larger group we will be happy to share contact details, but please contact us at Red Bull to facilitate that.Canal & River Trust apologise for the inconvenience caused.

via Canals, Rivers, Boating & Walking | UK Leisure Guide | Waterscape.

Yesterday (27th September) IWA and the Canal & River Trust signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Trust’s first Public Meeting, which was held at the canal-side Bond Warehouse in Birmingham.

The agreement is designed to recognise the mutual interests of the two charitable organisations and establish areas of co-operation as well as outlining specific commitments and responsibilities.

Robin Evans, chief executive for the Canal & River Trust, said: “We already work closely with IWA and this agreement both formalises and acts as a catalyst to that relationship.  By working together and building on each other’s skills and experience we will make a greater impact on the waterways and peoples’ enjoyment of them than either of our organisations could have done alone.”

Clive Henderson, The Inland Waterways Association’s national chairman, said: “IWA sees that there are areas of shared interest with the Trust, where pooling our resources may help better engage with local communities to generate support from local people to care for and help maintain their local stretch of waterways, and hopefully open up new areas for fundraising”.

Photo courtesy of Canal & River Trust

via CRT AND IWA SIGN HISTORIC AGREEMENT.

The Canal & River Trust have launched an appeal to raise funds to help repair the breach on the Trent & Mersey canal caused by the extraordinary recent weather.

The 240-year-old Trent & Mersey Canal is a bustling artery of our canal network and key part of the Cheshire Ring providing jobs in the local area, habitats for a huge range of waterway wildlife and a much-valued nationally recognised route for walkers and cyclists.

When launching the appeal, The Canal & River Trust (CRT) made the following statement:

“As a result of the recent breach we’ve had to close a 12-mile stretch to navigation while we carry out the massive repairs necessary to secure the canal. Canal breaches are exceptionally rare, although they are extremely expensive to fix and the repair bill for the damage on the Trent & Mersey Canal is estimated at £1.5 million.”

“We’re asking you to make a donation to this emergency appeal to help us rebuild the canal embankment and complete other flood repairs. While we hold a contingency fund that can be used to deal with this kind of emergency situation, this is money that we urgently need to spend on essential maintenance and repairs right across the network.

Using this money to repair this breach will inevitably prevent other important work being carried out this winter – unless we are able to raise additional income now.”

“By making a donation today you will be contributing directly towards the labour and materials needed to complete this work.”

David Baldacchino, waterway manager explains: “The money that you donate will help fund the repair of the breached canal bank and complete a significant repair to a bank near Middlewich which has also been damaged by the flooding.

£1.5m is equivalent to 30 sets of lock gates replaced, a third of our current annual dredging programme or three years worth of the money that we expect to spend painting bridges.”

Donate by text

To donate £5 by SMS, text BREACH to 70800.

You will be charged £5 plus one message at your standard network rate. The Canal & River Trust will recieve a donation of at least £4.97 from all major networks of your £5.

By using this service you agree that we may contact you in the future. If you would rather we didn’t text DECLINE to 70007.

Three teenage schoolboys have been arrested after sickening attacks on a Wolverhampton towpath saw six victims pushed into the water.

A 13, 14 and 15-year-old have been released on police bail on suspicion of assault following an investigation by officers into ‘brazen acts of malice’.

The first attack on September 12 saw a 40-year-old cyclist being shoved in the shoulder, causing him to fall into the Birmingham Canal near Gorsebrook Road in Whitmore Reans.

An hour later a 51-year-old man was pushed off his bike into the water. He suffered a shattered kneecap, which needed surgery, and other superficial injuries.

On September 13 four people aged 72, 71, 33 and 61 were attacked and their injuries ranged from cuts on the leg, to cracked ribs. The 33-year-old was also racially abused.Despite police increasing patrols, three further attacks took place on September 14 and 19 with men aged 49, 62 and 72 all falling victim to canal thugs.The 72-year-old was pushed into the water but the other two victims fought back.

Police made extensive enquiries with nearby schools and swooped on three addresses on Friday afternoon. The bailed teenagers have been barred from going anywhere near the canal network.

PC Joe Trusselle, based at Whitmore Reans police station, said: “These attacks have quite understandably shocked and disgusted the local community as well as the officers working on the case.

“Never in all my time in the police have I seen such brazen acts of malice on completely innocent members of the public, for seemingly no other reason than getting a sickening personal kick.

‘‘Those responsible clearly have no regard for their victims and no remorse for their actions, committing the same offence over and over again, day after day.”

Anyone with information should call Wolverhampton police on 101.

via Three teenage schoolboys arrested over Wolverhampton canal attacks – Top Stories – News – Birmingham Mail.

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