News

PLA will be automating the weir at Richmond lock and have pruned trees overhanging the river bankon the section form Brentford to Teddington

PLA will be issuing a guide for all river recreational users to be available at Teddington & Brentford locks and to all motor boat clubs (on the Thames) It will incorporate the new rowing code together with a map showing the navigational channels for rowing.

PLA will be installing a location system called AIS using VHF transponders to be fitted to all vessels longer than 40 metres or 50 gross tonnes. It is scheduled to ready by June 2007 and 50% of the costs to users will be funded by PLA.

In response to my query as to the sense of the new requirement for all narrow boats longer than 13.7 metres (50ft) to report by radio to YTS at Woolwich even for the transit from Brentford to Teddington and vice versa, PLA’s only answer (audible) was that the length requirement had come from MCA (Roger Squires of IWA is querying this directly with MCA). It seems from this and from answers to other river users now subject to further restrictions that PLA has become obsessed by the safety/risk assessment culture. They claim that the river is now busier than ever before!!

PLA were criticised that they are not encouraging sailing and that the river is not a friendly place for foreign visitors due to the lack of suitable visitor mooring berths (this view was supported from the floor with a round of applause)

Planning permission is being sought for residential moorings at Chiswick as part of a riverside housing development

Thames: now formally issued. The work plan will be issued soon. It could identify slipways and extensions of Visitor moorings. The 'Visit Thames' websitehas been popular and partnerships pubs etc are being pursued. the boat 'Windrush' is to be sold as is surplus land at Sunbury.

Anglian: £120K has been sourced for Visitors mooring improvements on the Nene and Great Ouse. EA will match fund this. There will be 4-5 new VMs on EA owned land.

Southern(Medway): Allington Lock is to be improved plus bank improvements. New facilities are planned as is an online forum for river users.

The 12% annual registration fee increase for 3 years will now happen. John Edmunds has expressed his concerns to the EA board

The Defra cuts will not impact this year's capital maintenance programme but there is a £12 million shortfall for next year. EA will be looking at their investment strategy with input from NNUF and the REFRACs

EA want us to give feedback from our members on their perceptions of the state of their navigation. Details of the EA classifications are awaited.

John Edmunds with his IWAAC hat on said the they were upset that the cuts seemd to be 'whimsical' in their approach.

There was a follow up on the property presentation made at the last meeting. James Froomberg gave figures for the expected rates of return (6% on low risk, 12% on high) He claimed that BW will use income from sales to invest in new JV projects. They are not allowed to borrow money externally.

A number of 'blockade' locations now been identified with AWCC co-ordination at Little Venice (Trevor Gillam), Manchester (Graeme Bridge), Leeds (Alan Hodgkinson), Devizes (Adrian Softly, Devizes Boat Club) Other locations include Birmingham, Bradford on Avon, Stoke Bruerne, Hawkesbury Junction, Banbury, Berkhamstead all to be coordinated by others. The NABO rep is investigating the Thames River Users Group. Others will be contacting Cycling & Angling interests. The event is to take place on November 25/26th with Saturday as the prority day.

A flotilla is planned to proceed from the London Boat Show at EXCEL on Tuesday 16th January picking up boats from Limehouse and St Katherines Dock to pass the Houses of Parliament, turn above Lambeth Bridge and return. A rally is to be held simultaneously on Westminster Bridge and MPs will be asked for audiences. Andrew Phasey Vice Commodore of St Pancras Cruising Club will co-ordinate the flotilla arrangements. Campaign materials will be available from SOW.

HERITAGE WATERWAYS is a new publication from Mortons Heritage Media that has been written, photographed and compiled by Keith Langston, the originator of Mortons’ two highly popular Fred Dibnah bookazines. In its 132 pages, the author has not only examined the fascinating history of the unique waterways ofBritain andIreland but has gained the co-operation of waterways industry insiders to look accurately at future development on both sides of theIrish Sea. In addition to British Waterways and Waterways Ireland, many other leading organisations have contributed to the publication, including The Inland Waterways Association, the Association of Waterways Cruising Clubs and the prestigious Waterways Trust. Within its editorial pages this special publication contains a huge number of stunning, unique and specially commissioned waterways images, and a host of special interest articles. In addition there is a series of travelogues detailing journeys around some of the waterways ofIreland. There is even a report on the late Fred Dibnah’s adventures in a canal tunnel! This is a must-have publication not just for those already familiar with our inland waterways but also for those planning a waterborne holiday or just a leisurely stroll along the towpath. In fact, no narrowboat or cruiser cabin should be without a copy!

In recognition of the assistance given to the author by the Association of Canal Cruising Clubs the publishers are happy to make a special offer to all the members of that association. HERITAGE WATERWAYS which normally retails at £6.99 per copy is offered at the special price of £5.50 Postage Paid each.

ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS TO CALL THE HERITAGE MEDIA HOTLINE on 01507 529300 AND WHEN PLACING YOUR ORDER USE THE UNIQUE SPECIAL OFFER CODE HWBO.



	RECENT MEETINGS NEWS Port of London Authority (PLA) Public meeting Thursday 12th October PLA will be automating the weir at Richmond lock and have pruned trees overhanging the river bankon the section form Brentford to Teddington PLA will be issuing a guide for all river recreational users to be available at Teddington & Brentford locks and to all motor boat clubs (on the Thames) It will incorporate the new rowing code together with a map showing the navigational channels for rowing. PLA will be installing a location system called AIS using VHF transponders to be fitted to all vessels longer than 40 metres or 50 gross tonnes. It is scheduled to ready by June 2007 and 50% of the costs to users will be funded by PLA. In response to my query as to the sense of the new requirement for all narrow boats longer than 13.7 metres (50ft) to report by radio to YTS at Woolwich even for the transit from Brentford to Teddington and vice versa, PLA’s only answer (audible) was that the length requirement had come from MCA (Roger Squires of IWA is querying this directly with MCA). It seems from this and from answers to other river users now subject to further restrictions that PLA has become obsessed by the safety/risk assessment culture. They claim that the river is now busier than ever before!! PLA were criticised that they are not encouraging sailing and that the river is not a friendly place for foreign visitors due to the lack of suitable visitor mooring berths (this view was supported from the floor with a round of applause) Planning permission is being sought for residential moorings at Chiswick as part of a riverside housing development EA National Navigation Users Forum (NNUF) Tuesday AM The Transport & Works Act is still stalled with the lawyers over clause 18 which seems to give DEFRA a second bite over financial approvals. AWCC with other users has objected. Waterway Plans Thames: now formally issued. The work plan will be issued soon. It could identify slipways and extensions of Visitor moorings. The 'Visit Thames' websitehas been popular and partnerships pubs etc are being pursued. the boat 'Windrush' is to be sold as is surplus land at Sunbury. Anglian: £120K has been sourced for Visitors mooring improvements on the Nene and Great Ouse. EA will match fund this. There will be 4-5 new VMs on EA owned land. Southern(Medway): Allington Lock is to be improved plus bank improvements. New facilities are planned as is an online forum for river users. The 12% annual registration fee increase for 3 years will now happen. John Edmunds has expressed his concerns to the EA board The Defra cuts will not impact this year's capital maintenance programme but there is a £12 million shortfall for next year. EA will be looking at their investment strategy with input from NNUF and the REFRACs EA want us to give feedback from our members on their perceptions of the state of their navigation. Details of the EA classifications are awaited. Parliamentary Waterways Group (PWG) Tuesday PM The discussions centered around the DEFRA cuts. The Early day Motion was highlighted. The sponsoring MP Charlotte Atkins stated that MPs needed at least 20 letters to take notice. John Edmunds with his IWAAC hat on said the they were upset that the cuts seemd to be 'whimsical' in their approach. There was a presentaton from WRG on volunteering. He maintained that the biggest obstacle they faced was new legislationm H&S etc. British Waterways Advisory Forum (BWAF) Wednesday PM Discussion again centered around the DEFA cuts. BW has increased input for property but has already made cuts principally in the areas of maintenance but need the savings to pay for redundancies! There was a follow up on the property presentation made at the last meeting. James Froomberg gave figures for the expected rates of return (6% on low risk, 12% on high) He claimed that BW will use income from sales to invest in new JV projects. They are not allowed to borrow money externally. There was a presentation given on Heritage (Museums, boats etc.) that showed that this area is currently underfinanced. The feelings of he meeting that BW should concentrate their efforts in maintaining the track. There will be future presentations on Promoting Freight & Towpath Management Saving Our Waterways BMF & IWA are financing a lobbyist who will be writing to riparian MPs (160 plus) and Julie Arnold (daughter of Harry) Waterways World magazine has a centre page pull-out on th esubject that will be available as a downloadable .pdf file form their website. A joint briefing note will be prepared jointly by BMF/IWA and signed on to by all users (10 at present) You will have now seen version 3 and I have given AWCC's agreement. Campaign Meeting Friday AM This included Irepresentatives from IWA, BMF, NABO, RYA, DBA, HNBOC, AWCC, SPCC, Will Chapman of the Save Our Waterways (SOW) team plus David Suchet. A number of 'blockade' locations now been identified with AWCC co-ordination at Little Venice (Trevor Gillam), Manchester (Graeme Bridge), Leeds (Alan Hodgkinson), Devizes (Adrian Softly, Devizes Boat Club) Other locations include Birmingham, Bradford on Avon, Stoke Bruerne, Hawkesbury Junction, Banbury, Berkhamstead all to be coordinated by others. The NABO rep is investigating the Thames River Users Group. Others will be contacting Cycling & Angling interests. The event is to take place on November 25/26th with Saturday as the prority day. A flotilla is planned to proceed from the London Boat Show at EXCEL on Tuesday 16th January picking up boats from Limehouse and St Katherines Dock to pass the Houses of Parliament, turn above Lambeth Bridge and return. A rally is to be held simultaneously on Westminster Bridge and MPs will be asked for audiences. Andrew Phasey Vice Commodore of St Pancras Cruising Club will co-ordinate the flotilla arrangements. Campaign materials will be available from SOW. The situation at present is very fast moving. The best way to keep in touch is through the Save our Waterways website: www.saveourwaterways.org.uk Special book offer HERITAGE WATERWAYS is a new publication from Mortons Heritage Media that has been written, photographed and compiled by Keith Langston, the originator of Mortons’ two highly popular Fred Dibnah bookazines. In its 132 pages, the author has not only examined the fascinating history of the unique waterways ofBritain andIreland but has gained the co-operation of waterways industry insiders to look accurately at future development on both sides of theIrish Sea. In addition to British Waterways and Waterways Ireland, many other leading organisations have contributed to the publication, including The Inland Waterways Association, the Association of Waterways Cruising Clubs and the prestigious Waterways Trust. Within its editorial pages this special publication contains a huge number of stunning, unique and specially commissioned waterways images, and a host of special interest articles. In addition there is a series of travelogues detailing journeys around some of the waterways ofIreland. There is even a report on the late Fred Dibnah’s adventures in a canal tunnel! This is a must-have publication not just for those already familiar with our inland waterways but also for those planning a waterborne holiday or just a leisurely stroll along the towpath. In fact, no narrowboat or cruiser cabin should be without a copy! In recognition of the assistance given to the author by the Association of Canal Cruising Clubs the publishers are happy to make a special offer to all the members of that association. HERITAGE WATERWAYS which normally retails at £6.99 per copy is offered at the special price of £5.50 Postage Paid each. ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS TO CALL THE HERITAGE MEDIA HOTLINE on 01507 529300 AND WHEN PLACING YOUR ORDER USE THE UNIQUE SPECIAL OFFER CODE HWBO. There is no upper limit on the number of copies per order. RYA News Item, Published: 04/07/2006
Copyright (c) 2005 The Association of wayerways Cruising Clubs. All rights reserved. jogn@albanich.com