Are the waterways now in better shape?

HERE'S an invitation to all boaters take part in a National Association of Boat Owners' (NABO) Waterways Condition Surveys 2009, to give their opinion of the present state of the waterways.

Despite the fact that, in order to maintain a steady state, BW should be spending £30 million more than it does, Defra has cut its 2010/2011 budget by a further £4.6 million, writes Simon Robbins on behalf of the association.

'In better shape'

At the beginning of the year, Robin Evans, British Waterways Chief Executive, maintained 'Recent investment by British Waterways means that the network is now in better shape than at any time in decades'.

After a summer's cruising, we want to know if you agree. If you have spent time boating on BW waters this year, we invite you to complete the NABO British Waterways Waterways Condition survey. It should take about 10 to 15 minutes to complete. Click on this link: http://www.surveymk.com/NABObw09 or paste it into your web browser. You will be asked to enter a password, which is: Navigation09 (without a space before 09).

If you have boated on non-BW waters, we would be grateful if you would complete the NABO Other Agencies Waterways Condition survey, to create a comparison. Click on this link: http://www.surveymk.com/NABOoa09 or paste it into your web browser. You will be asked to enter a password, which is: Navigation09 (without a space before o9).

Contribute their experiences

As indicated above we invite members and non-members alike to contribute their experiences. The closing date for completion of the Surveys is Saturday 26th September 2009. Please complete both surveys if you have boated on both BW and other agencies' waterways in 2009. If, for any reason, you cannot complete a survey in one sitting, you can return to complete it later, as long as it is before the deadline.

An analysis of the results of the Survey will eventually be published.