South East Trade Meeting with British Waterways

and their Trade Partners

Wednesday 26 November 2008

Attendees:

TradeThe Wyvern Shipping Company – Chairman

Black Prince

Rose Narrowboats

Calcutt Boats

Napton Narrowboats

Weltonfield Narrowboats

Oxfordshire Narrowboats

Braunston Marina

Kate Boats

BW:Jeff Whyatt, General Manager

Alistair Boyle, A&P Manager

Richard Delves, Leisure Development Manager

Dee Inglis, PA for BW (taking minutes)

  1. Chairman’s Address

Welcome to the eighth trade meeting and thank you all for coming.

At these meetings the Trade has had a good working relationship with BW South East and has put a lot of time, effort and expertise in trying to help BW operate more efficiently in the running and maintaining of the SE Region. Over the last three years much of the meetings have been dominated by the ongoing problems of both official and unofficial linear moorings. I am pleased to report that the increased number of mooring wardens has greatly improved the over staying of so called continuous cruisers and the increased number of patrol officers has helped in reducing the number of unlicensed boats. Many will argue that it was poor BW administration that allowed the number of unlicensed boats to rise to over 12% but I believe things are getting better. However it has just been announced by Simon Salem that BW will not be accepting many of the recommendations of the British Waterways Advisory Forum and implementing a fairer licensing system for 2009. The saving of 2.5% VAT reduction will help the private boater but not the Trade.

I attended the BW Annual general meeting in Birmingham and was some what disappointed that the £600m tied up in property and various partnerships with developers, pub chains, marinas etc actually produced very little extra income to help maintain the waterways and so resulting in a £30m annual maintenance shortfall. Since the meeting and after much campaigning by interested parties and the IWA the grant in aid has been increased by 1m with the appointment of a new Transport minister and yesterday by a further £5m as part of ‘green stimulus package’ so it is not all bad news. To meet this shortfall and to try and halt further depreciation of the waterways BW must learn to work with and appreciate the true value and benefits of volunteer labour and sponsorship in not only restoring old canals and the building of new canals but also in the maintaining of existing canals.

Despite the increase of around 50% more boats using the waterways in the last 10 years and BW having two major reorganisations with another one pending BW management has made little progress in reducing overheads or their carbon footprint with back street offices. Customer levels of satisfaction and expectation remain low. As David Cameron would say ‘They have not fixed the roof when the sun was shining’. Now with the economy in recession we are now facing very challenging times for both BW and the canal industry as a whole. Our company records show that in the last recession of 1991 our 1992 bookings were down by 23% and it took a further 3 years to fully recover.

On the positive side ‘The new Marinas policy’ has been very successful over the last five years with many new marinas coming on line and is a shining example of what can be achieved when BW work with and listen to the Trade.

On that high note let us continue with the meeting and see how we can save BW the £25m annual maintenance deficit.

British Waterways General Manager Address

  • Pre budget report showed we have £5m extra being brought forward from next year for MW boosting the overall budget for MW in 2009/10 to £33m. Alistair Boyle, A&P Manager for South East will be attending a meeting shortly to discuss how much of the £5m extra South East will be allocated.
  • The Operations Efficiency Programme. The government are reviewing our property portfolio. Over the last 5 years our property portfolio has delivered £130m back to the management of the canal system. BW outperformed property return benchmarks during this period. This is an enormously profitable area for BW.
  • BW are going through a strategic review due to a £29m shortfall in grants. We will not hear about review until probably early spring. Next year will be a very interesting and tough one for BW going forward. Our budgets are 3 / 4% down in comparison from last year. We are looking to tighten our belt.

2.Minutes approved from last meeting

3.Stoppages and major works programme for 09/10

  • No stoppage programme at present as awaiting confirmation of budgets – consultation to commence Easter 2009 when works confirmed.
  • Major Works listing to be finalised February 09 when funding confirmed. But at present we have
  • £4.3m towpath works in total
  • £750k Braunston cutting (to reinstate bank)
  • £1m moorings
  • £650k dredging
  • £1m towpaths
  • Remainder arrears – locks, bridges, reservoirs, culvert inspections.

DD asked if all lift bridges will become mechanised? Alistair Boyle said not due to single boat issues. There are approximately 7/8 on Oxford. BW looking at a solution that is to electrify/hydroligise. Jane Marriottwill be looking for input from trade/users. Probably one will happen this financial year (Thrupp) and the rest to follow next year. Alistair to look at communications plan to ensure trade to be included in the communications.

Banbury Update from March 2007 Strategic User Group Meeting. (requested by Trade member)

From Bridges 163 to 168 in Banbury

  • £45k spend to maintain this established urban destination.
  • High standard of vegetation and grounds maintenance on going throughout the year (£12k).
  • Although no graffiti removal was done some litter picking was carried out.
  • Trolley removal – 4 times per year (£4.5k is on-going.
  • Mooring, safety and interpretation signage is in progress (£10k)
  • Sanitary station cleaning contract in place (£5k)
  • Mooring checks carried out by our boat checkers and enforcement team (£4k)

OxfordUpdate from March 2007 Strategic User Group Meeting

From HytheBridge toAristotleBridge

  • £400k of improvements to this important gateway.
  • The visitor moorings 250m piling, coping and mooring rings project has been deferred. But have managed to provide nicospan solution as part of the dredging contract which is cheaper and a way of disposing of silt.
  • The towpath improvements from weir to IsisBridge have been deferred
  • Sanitary station upgrade and cleaning have been done (£25k) and in addition also Hythe Bridge surface improvements to make it anti slip
  • We have a high standard of vegetation maintenance (£15k)
  • The lock side and bridge repairs and fencing project has been deferred.
  • Although no graffiti removal was done some litter picking was carried out.

4.Vegetation Management

Fountains now far better. They are better equipped. Although they are finishing late they will be starting season earlier next year (February to early November). BW had 4 different cutting regimes, changed now so we get better service for less money.

(see Appendix 1 for veg management update distributed at meeting)

5.Update on enforcement activity in SE

Recent Boat Check results shows a decrease in the South East of 3.9% in evasion, down from 12.3% to 8.4%. This move is consistent with the national result. Overall BW has improved across the country and evasion now stands at 6.8% down from 10.4%.

(see Appendix 2)

A Press Release on licence fees and roving mooring permit was distributed (see Appendix 3)

DDasked if it was feasible that the towpath may not open in the Spring (Alistair - what towpath, where). Apparently no suitable places to put mooring rings in. Moorings will not open until these are done. AB to check opening times.

DD asked if consideration be given to his seasonal workers who moor up near his premises be given a special concession for staying in one area without a mooring permit for the months they work for him.. JW explained that the improved focus to reduce licence evasion and overstaying issues would not allow any concessions. The dialoguewith the new local patrol officer that has been ongoing with Oxfordshire Narrowboats is with the full knowledge and support of the General Manager.

DD asked if during the winter months boats under build could be given a bye as not all trade have enough trade plates for the number of boats they are building. Matt mentioned SORNs for boats as suggested by West Midlands. Jeff Whyatt to investigate.

MP handed round photos of unauthorised moorings around Napton and Shuckborough area (not in the SE).

DD/AG asked about the possibility letting out winter moorings. AG would also like to offer permanent moorings. It was brought up that Crick Marina are giving out Winter moorings as an offshoot of their Crick Boat Show deal. Bill Phillips to investigate Crick and let JW know outcome. DD suggested a meeting to discuss further. DI to set up meeting with RD, AG and DD.

6.Marina Update

(see Appendix 4)

7.BW Trade licence agreement

APCO issue. MCA bringing in new laws for industry type members. It is up to the Navigation Authority to instigate. It was suggested that an Operators Licence for Trade. This would cover company, site and boats and would last for 5 years. Just for hire fleet not marinas. If timeshare boats in marina then they have to have this Operators License. Implementation date 2010.

8.Sponsorship of Locks and Canal Maintenance

JG shared with the group the success he is having with volunteers in his area on clean ups and general tidying up the area. He suggested it might be something that other trade members might want to adopt. It was suggested by DD that a ‘sponsor an area’ type of system could be developed. Although BW would need to address the health and safety and supervision issues first.

The South East Unit is having increased success in harnessing input from volunteer groups. A volunteer seminar is being organised for January 09 and it is hoped that similar input can be gained as MK IWA provide.

9.Water preservation and backpumping

  • Replacement of the two Stoke Bruerne pumps
  • Completing of the remote trigger SCADA controlled pumping chain fromMilton Keynes to the Braunston Summit.
  • Appointment of key members of staff who take water control decisions and provide links to other teams.
  • Plan to replace pumps at Hillmorton, Napton, Tove and Leighton (subject to structural condition).
  • Clattercote and feeder/valve works making thisreservoir available again for next season.

10.Water Resource

With 2 wet summers our reservoirs are well stocked. We have no issues with water levels. Pre planned maintenance is done but a concerted effort to do little thing yearly i.e. lock gates is the first part of this planned maintenance programme. BW looking at water preservation nationwide. We have a healthy balance in investing money into pumps that need work.

Blue Green Algae. This year we used barley straw again. No water restrictions. Small amount of BGA but not enough to restrict use reservoir water. This is an ongoing job with barley straw.

DD – SOX flooding. Towpath potentially not open in the Spring. Banks are only slightly higher than the water. Apparently no suitable places to put mooring rings in. Moorings will not open until these are done. AB to meet with DD to see problem

11.Election of new chairman

Ballot papers to go out before Christmas asking for nominations. DI to organise.

Once nominations are collated a postal voting system will be organised for all members of the Trade meeting.

12.Date of Next Meeting

Wednesday 13th May, 2009 @ 12:00 for a sandwich lunch, venue The Heart of England public house, Weedon, Northants

APPENDIX 1

South East Waterway

Vegetation Management

Hedge Works

■Specification is to cut a years growth from the face of all towpath hedgerow and selected topping.

■Works are currently being undertaken across the whole of the South East.

■Leicester section reported to be complete

■Aylesbury Arm reported to be complete

■Grand Union lock 13 (Bottom of Buckby) to bridge 57 (Grafton Regis) reported to be complete

■All hedge cutting expected to be completed by early January 2009

■Other hedges that are very wide and so causing the available towpath width to be reduced to unsatisfactory dimensions are being identified. These hedges are to be separately priced and prioritized for appropriate works between January and February.

■Hedge laying. Approximately 3.5Km to be laid this season.

Offside Vegetation

This will include MSS encroachment and general offsiding. Works will be undertaken to trees and shrubbery. Notifications relating to individual sites of MSS encroachment to be used to ensure MSS compliance.

■Works already undertaken include sections of the Grand Union. These are Bridges 62 to 64. Cosgrove area.

■Bridges 90A to 90B. Simpson area

■Bridge 92 to Simpson Aqueduct.

■Various locations across the SE for individual/small groups of trees

■Work on the OxfordCanal is due to start in the Banbury area at the beginning of December.

■Several other areas will be completed including Tring Summit on the Grand Union canal.

Fender Growth

The removal of woody fender growth has started on the SouthOxfordCanal. When the whole of the OxfordCanal is complete the work will continue on the Leicester section

The plan is to complete the whole of the SE by the end of the next financial year.

Tree Works

Fountains are due to start the tree works by the beginning of December. This is work identified in the existing tree survey.

Other contractors are currently dealing with individual/small groups of trees that require more immediate attention.

An updated tree survey is also currently being undertaken. This survey will include reservoirs, car parks and destinations as well as the towpath.

Structural Vegetation Clearance

The structural vegetation clearance removes growth from bridges, culverts etc.

This work is now complete.

APPENDIX 2

APPENDIX 3

APPENDIX 4

SE Waterways New Marinas Update November 2008

Marina / Canal / Berths / Status / Latest / Action

Completed new marinas (517 berths)

Cathiron / OX / 200 / 2006/07 / Filling up
Blisworth / GU / 88 / NAA signed May 2007 / Filling up
Crick extension / GU / 87 / NAA signed Dec 2007 / Filling up
Heyford Fields / GU / 110 / NAA signed Oct 2007 / Filling up
Gayton extension / GU / 32 / Under construction / NAA to be signed 2008/09

Next ones to be completed. Planning consent granted – 75% confidence of completion

Grove Lock / GU / 35 / Planning consent granted / Anticipated start Spring 2009
ThruppWharf – Cosgrove / GU / 60 / Planning consent granted / Anticipated start Spring 2009
Flint Hill Farm / GU- Leics / 150 / Planning consent granted / Anticipated start May 2009
Applications for which planning applications submitted – 25% confidence of completion: subject to planners
Kingfisher Marina extension / GU / 25 / Planning application submitted / South Northants
HillmortonWharf / OX / 170 / Planning application submitted / Rugby
KingsBridge, Yarnton / OX / 90 / Planning application submitted / Cherwell
Ivinghoe / GU / 100 / Planning application submitted / AVDC

SE Waterways on line moorings reduction – update Nov 2008

New Marina / Berths / On-line reduction required / Moorings sites closed / highlighted for closure through natural wastage
Cathiron / 200 / 20 / Cropredy North 7 berths OX
Broadmoor 13 berths OX
Blisworth 3 berths GU
Broadmoor 3 berths OX
Brinklow 2 berths OX
GunpowderWharf (Thrupp) 2 berths OX
Wormleighton 4 berths OX
Brinklow 1 berth OX
Hillmorton Bottom Lock 1 berth OX
Aynho 1 berth OX
Kilby Bridge 1 berth GU
Aylesbury Basin 4 berths GA
Gayton 10 berths GU
Total 52 berths
Blisworth / 88 / 9
Heyford Fields / 110 / 11
Crick Marina / 87 / 9
Gayton extension / 32 / 3
Total / 517 / 52