Bath and North East Somerset Waterway Focus Groups

[magpie patrick]

Hi all,

 

More from the team that did the boaters survey

 

This study is ongoing, and I'm involved with it as an independent consultant - I have no agenda. As and when findings are put into the public domain I will post them on this forum. Below is an invitation for people who are interested to apply to be part of a focus group (note, if these groups are oversubscribed we will have to be selective with applicants. The publicity is via social media as we've found this tends to lead to widespread dissemination to groups and individuals

 

If you use the canal in the B&NES area these groups, and the study, may be of interest. Apologies for the formatting, it's a cut and paste from a word document

 

Foucus group invitations

 

Invitation to participate in a focus group for waterway users

The Water Space Partnership (Bath and North East Somerset Council, the Canal & River Trust, Environment Agency and Wessex Water) have commissioned a study (the Water Space Study, see www.waterspacebath.org.uk ) looking at the use of the River Avon & Kennet and Avon Canal within the Bath & North East Somerset Area (Dundas Aqueduct to Hanham Lock), and identifying ways in which facilities and services for waterway users can be improved.

 

As part of this the company working on the project, Atkins, are hosting two focus groups in which representatives of different types of user will be asked to explore the issues they face in making use of the waterways. Specifically we are looking for:

A. A liveaboard boater with a home mooring

B. A liveaboard boater with a no home mooring (continuous cruiser)

C. A leisure boater

D. A boater living on board in a marina

E. A walker who uses the towpath

F. A cyclist who uses the towpath

G. An angler who fishes the river and/or canal

H. A commercial or trip boat operator

Two focus groups will be held, with similar composition: It is intended that one will focus more on the issues on the river and one more on the canal, although they will overlap in their coverage of issues. The focus groups will be held on Monday 5^th September at 2:30pm and Wednesday 7^th September at 7:30pm in the Widcombe Social Club, Widcombe Hill, Bath, BA2 6AA. Each focus group will last for a maximum of 1.5 hours.

 

A report of the focus groups will be prepared for the partners. The reports will focus on the material issues discussed and will not accredit individuals with comments. Those attending the focus groups will not be named in public reports of the meetings and all comments will be kept anonymous.

 

If you would be interested in taking part in one of these focus groups please reply to Rachel Lambert by emailing rachel.l.lambert@atkinglobal.com or telephone 01454 662840 stating your interest(s) in the waterway as per the above categories A-H, and which dates you would be available to attend.

 

The findings of the focus groups will supplement other consultation that is being undertaken, including:

· A recent online survey: The headline results of the 2016 Boater Survey can now be seen online: www.bathnes.gov.uk/services/environment/river-and-canal/boater-survey-2016

· One to one interviews with various waterways based businesses

If you have any specific access or other accessibility requirements, please do not hesitate to let us know and we will be happy to accommodate.