Looking forward to the year ahead

NABO general secretary Peter Braybrook comments on some more topical issues.

AS THE days lengthen and we see some warmer temperatures and sunshine, our minds drift ahead to the thought of boating, although we are not out of the named storm season yet. Many are still putting right the damage that these inevitably bring.

My mind is skipping ahead to thoughts of planning our summer cruising; our CRT Canals and Rivers licence has been paid for another year and, as I have done since the terms and conditions for boat licences were introduced, I followed my online application up with an email. I only agree the T&Cs in as much as they are lawful.

The customer service co-ordinator (national) at the other end did not rise to debate the clauses but legal advice to NABO still stands that the general powers derived from section 43 of the 1962 Transport Act cannot be used as a basis for terms that go beyond s17 of the 1995 BW Act. Having said that I will always endeavour to follow the rules.

I actually believe that reasonable behaviour and care to safeguard the fabric and courtesy towards other boaters is a better way of enjoying the waterways and sharing the space rather than taking dictatorial powers to regulate and rule. Rules will only impact those who try to obey them but can’t; those who totally disregard them will do what they like anyway.

I have just heard that the boat movement statistics for 2023 showed that there was little change from 2022. My perception was that the canals were much quieter than usual but apparently, that was not the case with just a 2% fall.

I navigated quiet parts of the Birmingham Canal Navigation (BCN) last summer and enjoyed it. I thought about joining a BCN Society “explorer cruise” this year but they were booked up when I applied. I am pleased that there is high demand for these as it is very necessary to use the BCN network or it will become an easy target for closure. This year we will be heading to the East Midlands for the main part.

Council matters

The NABO Council discussed the prospects for a trouble-free cruising season. Last year saw water restrictions because of the continuing Toddbrook Reservoir work and we expect these to continue until the project is finished. As it comes to a conclusion in 2025 other reservoirs will require attention as inspections reveal problems with the 200-year-old structures.

Brent (Welsh Harp) is already drained. Understandably, there will be further water conservation measures, but what was noticed last year was that there were a number of fairly lengthy unplanned stoppages that restricted cruising.

It is doubtful that the Leeds and Liverpool Canal was ever open for its full length between April and October. We note too that the reservoir capacity of this canal was dropping in January in spite of above average rainfall in most of England and Wales. Could it be short of water again this summer?

We are now looking at other canals like the Kennet and Avon Canal and Grand Union Canal to see whether one can realistically plan a whole summer cruise on these. We know of some restrictions imposed by the construction of HS2 but hope that these will be managed to restrict rather than close the navigation.

Many summer cruisers depend on rings for their itinerary so having the canals available from April to October is very important. Stoppages in the middle of a week’s holiday could well result in a disappointing there and back trip rather than completing the ring.

I have become aware of a boater that has been charged a widebeam surcharge since it was introduced because the beam of the boat was recorded on the CRT database as 2.8 instead of 2.08 metres which it has been since it was built 20 years ago. The owner did not notice the difference until comparing their licence cost in conversation with another boater who has a boat of similar size.

The error has been sorted out now but it has made me wonder whether there are other boats affected and boat owners who have not noticed such a simple mistake. The fact that your “wide beam” boat has a home mooring on a narrow canal will not trigger any alarm bells in the CRT corporate brain.

CRT events

Recently Canal & River Trust held Executive Listening events. Some were online and some were face-to-face. These are an opportunity to meet with a member of the executive team and discuss the minutiae of Canal & River Trust’s operations. Colleagues and volunteers are invited.

I have no idea how the attendees are decided but this month three members of the NABO Council were invited to join in. I am a volunteer though very much in a small way and I think it was with this hat on that I got into the room. I have many differing other roles that bring me into contact with Canal & River Trust and its staff.

It was an interesting experience to be in a discussion on many aspects of the trust’s operations with other colleagues and volunteers.

The main word that described the meeting’s view of the work of the trust was “challenging”. Those who work for the trust find it challenging to effectively perform their roles in a cash-strapped situation.

The engineer would clear all the defects on the canals if he was permitted a “magic wand” but finds that he is always trying to catch up. The managers are doing all they can to reduce staff costs and increase volunteering opportunities, the lawyers are challenged by the maze of legislation and regulation that comes towards them and the volunteers are challenged by the lack of direction and organisation in some areas.

Life will always be challenging but as a boater, I don’t expect that every journey should be a challenge against infrastructure failure, decreasing services, reducing water levels and increasing hindrances from vegetation. We need the waterways to be places of relaxation rather than endeavour. Among the overhanging trees and bushes, we probably will not find a magic money tree. If you do find one let me know.