BOATS TO GO

‘Brindley’ Notebooks Sold

A set of notebooks and plans rescued from a bonfire over 40 years ago was sold at auction in Shrewsbury on 13th February the lot, comprising 34 notebooks that would appear to have been kept by James Brindley’s assistants, along with maps and Acts of Parliament dealing with its funding and construction have been deemed by some commentators to be of national importance.

Staffordshire County Archives were keen to secure the collection. They were eventually successful bidding £6600, but they had to overcome stiff competition from an un-named American collector.

PRICE REVIEW FOR12 month mooring permits

British Waterways (BW) has completed its annual pricing review for 12 month mooring permits to apply in England and Wales from April 2009.  The review fulfils BW’s statutory obligation to set market -led prices whilst ongoing analysis of vacancies and prices will ensure that BW is able to respond quickly to any effects that the unprecedented economic downturn may have on the moorings market during 2009/10.

As part of the process, each individual BW mooring site in England and Wales has been reviewed taking into consideration its condition, facilities, occupancy levels, strength of local demand and changes in supply. 

Customers on BW leisure moorings will see average prices increase of 6.1% (a 3.8% increase on 2008 prices taking into account the December 08 reduction in VAT).  Approximately half of leisure moorers will see an increase of less than 5% (2.7% after VAT reduction). 

Residential mooring sites are to increase by 9% or more for about half of all customers (6.7% after VAT reduction) reflecting the high demand for a limited number of residential berths.

Customers at the 133 sites scheduled for increases of more than 7% (4.7% after VAT reduction)  will see price increases capped at 7% until the end of June to give greater notice of the full increases applicable from July 2009.

Robin Evans, BW chief executive, comments: “Whilst ensuring that BW prices its moorings at the market rate we are very mindful of the unprecedented economic climate.  Over coming weeks and months we will continue to analyse what’s happening in the market place, keeping a close eye on occupancy levels and the volume and strength of bids for tendered vacancies.  Whilst the moorings sector appears to be holding up well, if necessary, we will be able to quickly respond to reflect changes in local markets.

“This year some of our customers will see relatively large increases in mooring fees and I hope that delaying the full price rises will help with personal budgeting over the next few months.  Similarly, in this difficult financial climate it is important that BW mooring customers have longer term certainty over prices. So unless there are specific local changes in circumstances, I do not anticipate increases above inflation in 2010 and 2011.

“Waterways are seeing exceptional demands on limited budgets and all the income from moorings is reinvested in the running and maintenance of the network.  At the same time we recognise that boaters alone can not shoulder the full burden of funding the network and we continue to seek alternative sources of income to cover the costs.”

The price list for BW’s directly managed sites is published at www.waterscape.com/moorings.  A report of the price review, which includes a copy of the pricing guidelines used by BW managers is published at www.britishwaterways.co.uk/mooringprices09.

SOAR PENNYWORT CLEARANCE PROVES SUCCESSFUL

An extensive clean up operation of one of the most widespread weeds on Leicestershire’s waterways has been a proven success.  The ongoing initiative run by British Waterways, the Environment Agency, Leicester City Council and local volunteer groups costing over £100K, has involved the management and clearing of Floating Pennywort on the River Soar and Grand Union Canal during 2008. 

Monthly monitoring and an extensive aerial survey conducted in October have illustrated that the combined efforts of the three agencies have resulted in a significant reduction in the number and spread of the plant on the River Soar, compared with the same survey carried out in 2007.

Floating Pennywort is an invasive plant, introduced to Britain’s waterways during the 1980’s.  It was first sighted in the region 5 years ago, and due to its rapid growth of up to 20cm per day, has quickly spread downstream.  The plant roots into shallow margins of water bodies, forming thick mats of floating vegetation which create numerous ecological and operational problems.  Pennywort starves the waterway of oxygen which has an adverse effect on other aquatic life.  It also poses a threat to other wildlife sites along the river corridor, increases flood risk by restricting drainage of the watercourse and causes navigation problems for boaters who are unable to pass through thick masses of plant life.