A major theme of the discussion was related to rights, and the meeting allowed groups present to talk about the specific challenges faced by liveaboard boaters, thought to number around 50, 000, though no official and agreed number exists.
Members heard from the National Bargee Travellers Association (NBTA), and the Residential Boat Owners Association (RBOA), after which a roundtable discussion was held with input from Canal and River Trust (CRT), Accessible Waterways Association, the National Association of Boat Owners (NABO), and the Broads Authority.
The session demonstrated that while it may be easy to hold romantic views about life on water the reality can be hard, from not having an address to registering with a GP, limited access to waste disposal services, and the difficulties in obtaining pet and other insurance.
Ella Parry-Davies of NBTA outlined that around 8,500 boats navigate without a home mooring on CRT waters, but the total population of boaters could be as high as 50,000. This is a diverse and often vulnerable community, with significantly higher levels of disability than the national average.
Rex Walden of RBOA reinforced this, describing a wide cross-section of society living afloat, from retirees and young professionals to key workers, veterans, and people in vulnerable circumstances.
Despite this, both organisations acknowledged that boaters’ recognition had been hindered in policymaking.
The NBTA called for the protection of existing legislation, opposing additional enforcement powers. They stressed that inconsistent communication and lack of transparency from navigation authorities exacerbate these challenges.
At the same time, NBTA welcomed recent signals from CRT’s leadership, including a commitment to reset relationships with boaters, and was further positive that welfare support staff had recently increased.
A central theme from organisations was the need for residential boaters to be treated on equal footing with land-based residents, including stronger tenancy rights, improved legal protections, and inclusion in national housing and planning policy. On this last Point, IWA has been campaigning so that government include residential boaters in its National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
Those present also raised concerns about stigma and mistreatment, with reports of verbal abuse and occasional physical incidents directed at boaters. A CRT representative acknowledged legislation ambiguity and the need for clearer definitions and safeguards, further explaining the need for the Report of the Commission on Boat Licencing. He said that there are increasing welfare issues with vulnerable boaters living in dangerous conditions and their welfare team are dealing with more referrals. He agreed that any new policy or legislation would need safeguards and checks and balances.
Wendy Morton, MP for Aldridge-Brownhills, vice-chair of the Waterways APPG, questioned presenters and chaired a robust roundtable discussion after. Commenting, Wendy said:
“This was an important discussion, and it is clear more must be done to support residential boaters.
“For many, living on the waterways is their home, and they should be treated with the same fairness as those in bricks-and-mortar housing. Yet too often they face barriers and a lack of recognition in policy.
“I will continue working with colleagues to raise these issues at a national level, particularly the need to properly reflect residential boaters in planning policy.”
The round-table concluded with a commitment from MPs to raise these issues at a national level, including through parliamentary questions on the inclusion of residential boaters in planning policy.
Attached photo L-R: Lucy Burchnall (Head of Ranger Services and Navigation Officer, Broads Authority), Tim Clarke (Accessible Waterways Association), Ozzie the dog, Lee Dillon (MP for Newbury), Matthew Symonds (National Boating Manager for CRT), Rex Walden (Residential Boat Owners Association). Wendy Morton (MP for Aldridge-Brownhills), Ella Parry-Davies, (National Bargee Travellers Association).
