Guidelines for K&A boaters proposed

THE Kennet & Avon Waterways Partnership is seeking views from boaters, businesses, local authorities and other canal users on ideas for improving fair access to moorings on the canal between Devizes and Bath.

This is to attempt to sort out the ever increasing problem of 'continuous moorers' on that stretch of waterway, with the Partnership looking for feedback from all those who use the canal to help it develop a 12 months pilot project.

The proposals

Among the proposals people are being asked for their views on are:

• Work to identify stretches of the canal between Bath and Devizes as places that boaters should be recommended to cruise between
• Ideas for creating a local appreciation of what constitutes a bona fide journey in these places
• Setting up a panel of experienced and respected local people, the Waterway Partnership and Canal & River Trust mooring manager, to impartially assess enforcement cases that arise
• Agreeing local guidance between boaters and the Canal & River Trust to improve understanding of, and adherence to, local mooring requirements and Trust policies for boating in the area.

Sent to all boaters

The consultation takes place from Friday 30th August to Friday 29th November 2013. It has been sent to all boaters known to have been using the Kennet & Avon Canal over the past 12 months, as well as canal-side businesses, local authorities and local interest groups associated with the canal. Following the consultation, and subject to any changes resulting from it, there will be a 12 month pilot of the Plan.

The working group that put together the proposals are: Emma Fearnley (K&A Trade Association), Terry Fell (angler representative), Sandra Fry (boaters with moorings representative), Andrew Harry (boater representative), Ken Oliver (Wiltshire County Council), Alida Robey (facilitator community resolve), Richard Wright (local community representative).

For more information about the proposals and the consultation visit:

http://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/consultations/current-consultations

The aim

Tamsin Phipps, Chair of the Trust's Kennet & Avon Waterway Partnership, explained:

"The aim of the Towpath Mooring Plan is to improve access to moorings for everybody, give boaters more confidence that they are complying with their licences, and better accommodate the needs of people who live on this section of the canal.

"The strength of the proposals are that they've been developed locally, by people who live, work and relax on and alongside the Kennet & Avon. We hope that providing greater clarity on cruising and mooring guidelines, based on locally defined terms and supported by improved communication, will bring about a new and mutually beneficial culture of trust between boaters and the charity."