No boater to pay more than £2 extra per week to use the Crinan Canal
SCOTTISH Canals published its response to a public consultation on Tuesday setting out a long-term plan for establishing ‘fair pricing’ for living and travelling on Scotland’s inland waterways.
Following a consultation and independent review into the pricing strategy for moorings and licences on Scotland’s canals, no boater will pay more than an extra £100 per year – less than £2 per week – plus inflation.
Scottish Canals commissioned this consultation in October 2015, following increases in moorings and licence prices, which took place in April 2015 as part of a wider drive to charge fair and reasonable rates for the services the organisation provides.
Following a detailed analysis of all the responses, Scottish Canals’ board has agreed that the annual inflationary uplift will be set in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI), calculated monthly and averaged over the past financial year.
All price increases less than £100 per year will be implemented in full, plus the CPI, and all price increases greater than £101 will be phased in so that no customer pays more than an extra £100 per year, plus the CPI.
Customers can pay their moorings fees in full at the outset or by monthly instalments, but the cost will remain the same however they choose to pay. Navigation charges will remain at 2015 prices, subject to an annual CPI uplift.
Transit charges will remain the same on the Caledonian and Crinan Canals, and drop by 25 per cent on the Lowlands Canals as a way of stimulating boat movements. Registered charities that are not acting commercially will benefit from a 25 per cent reduction in transit charges.
Subject to contractual renewal dates, all price changes will come into effect from June 1, 2017, and April 1 each year thereafter.
Steve Dunlop, chief executive of Scottish Canals, said: ‘As a public body, it’s right that we adopt a fair and reasonable approach to pricing.
‘With amenities and customer demand varying between locations and waterways, price inconsistencies over charges have emerged over the years leaving some boaters paying significantly less or more than their neighbours.
‘This is a complex issue and one which all canal authorities are wrestling with. However, we believe we now have in place a fair, transparent and consistent approach to pricing which benefits all boaters. I’d like to thank all of our boating customers for their feedback and understanding during the review process.’