CRT Press Release - Response to K&A towpath mooring plan consultation

[Leo No2]

CANAL & RIVER TRUST PUBLISHES RESPONSE TO KENNET & AVON TOWPATH MOORING PLAN CONSULTATION

 

We are today publishing our response to the consultation on the towpath mooring plan, proposed by our Kennet & Avon Waterway Partnership, to encourage fair use of the busy stretch of the Kennet & Avon (K&A) Canal between Devizes and Bath.

 

Large numbers of moored boats, complaints about boats moored in one area for long periods of time, and concerns from boaters and other stakeholders about the continued growth in boat numbers, led the Trust to support the development of a local plan for this part of the network. We had worked extensively with local partners over many years to try to reach an agreed way forward, and over the past 12 months our K&A Waterway Partnership made up of a group of local stakeholders developed and consulted on a towpath mooring plan for the area.

 

We are very grateful for the work that the Partnership has done and the contributions made by the many people who responded to the Consultation. With some modifications, discussed with the Partnership, we will implement the bulk of the proposed plan from 1 May.

 

Boaters without a home mooring on the western end of the canal between Bath and the bottom of the Caen Hill flight, who adopt the range of movement and mooring described in the response published today, will not face enforcement action by the Trust for a 12 month interim period.

 

Overall, we believe that this offers the best way of achieving the long-sought improvements to the canal that will benefit all users. We will work with the Partnership to monitor the impact of this plan over the 12 month period.

 

We are now working on the steps needed to put the new arrangements into practice. These include developing communications materials for boaters, adjusting monitoring systems and updating signage. We aim to be ready for the measures to come into effect on 1 May 2014.

 

To read the Trusts full response, please visit: http://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/consultations/completed-consultations