Update from Navigation Committee January 2025

Canals in the news

Navigation Committee met for the first time in 2025 on 22^nd January, after a Christmas and New Year period when the canals burst into the public consciousness for good and bad reasons.

The good reason was the screening of the Aardman Animations film Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl by the BBC, which ends with a narrowboat chase onto an aqueduct looking very like Pontcysyllte. The level of detail in the film is extraordinary and extends to the canal scenes. It has proved extremely popular and has recently been nominated for an Oscar.

The bad reason was the collapse of embankments on both the Bridgewater Canal and the Huddersfield Narrow Canal on New Year’s Day following sustained heavy rainfall. About 30 boats were stranded on the Bridgewater Canal and fortuitously one of them was a canal vlogger @TaylorsAboardaNarrowboat. Their drone footage of the breach and subsequent events has generated widespread attention and in particular their first video became the ‘Most Watched’ video on the BBC website.

Both canals will need complex, lengthy and expensive repairs and are now closed for the foreseeable future. Particularly in the case of the Bridgewater Canal this will have a substantial impact on cruising opportunities for both private and hire boaters, and consequently on businesses and local communities.

These events confirm Navigation Committee’s view that the condition and funding of the waterways are the most critical topics. Navigation Committee works for the best possible waterway condition for all users, while IWA’s major campaigning activity is for appropriate funding for all waterways, by playing a leading role in the Fund Britain’s Waterways coalition designed to bring together and amplify the voices of waterway users and supporters.

Impact of climate change

The New Year embankment collapses were accompanied by widespread flooding on river navigations across the country, again causing damage and impacting use of the waterways. This is not an isolated incident. Extreme weather events are becoming much more frequent and severe as a result of climate change. The Canal & River Trust (CRT) has reported spending an additional £10m in emergency repairs to re-open canals and towpaths in the aftermath of the eight named storms in three months over winter 2023/24. The four named storms at the end of 2024 have already caused significant damage with more than 440 trees falling, and the Shropshire Union Canal is still closed at Woodseaves Cutting after Storm Darragh.

CRT recently published its Climate Adaptation Report 2024 which considers the cost of adapting its network for a future climate. Initial work suggested that additional expenditure of up to £15m per year for the rest of the century might be needed simply to future-proof critical assets. However in the light of subsequent experience CRT now considers that the increase in funding needed to fully adapt its network will be in line with estimates from the Environment Agency (EA) in its 2021 report on the Impact of Climate Change on Asset Deterioration that maintenance budgets may need to increase by 30-80% compared with present levels. Tellingly, the EA report highlighted embankments as having a high risk of deterioration due to climate change.

These events and figures are a stark illustration of the “perfect storm” described by CRT’s winter funding campaign. They make the need for Fund Britain’s Waterways clearer than ever.

Bridgewater breach

The breach was caused by the collapse of an embankment near Dunham Massey, east of Lymm. As well as flooding the valley, a United Utilities sewage works was flooded. The collapse is very close to the site of the 1971 breach at the Bollin Aqueduct over the River Tame, which took two years to repair and necessitated a major IWA campaign. The Bridgewater Canal is managed by the Bridgewater Canal Company, part of Peel Holdings, which is not very communicative and has not announced its intention for the canal – in contrast with the Canal & River Trust which immediately said it would repair and reopen the Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

The following initial actions have been taken:

• A news item was put on the IWA website the day after the breach.
• The 1971 breach and IWA’s part in ensuring repairs were researched
• Questions were sent to the Director of the Bridgewater Canal who offered a meeting, though no date has yet been set
• IWA Manchester Branch established that Cheshire East Council will be the lead local authority
• Freedom of Information requests were made to Salford City Council and Trafford Council about the Bridgewater Canal Trust, which was established with the local authorities along the canal after the repair of the 1971 breach. The responses confirmed that the Trust has not been in operation for several years.

Peel’s initial priority has evidently been the 30 boats that were stranded between the stop planks and the breach. Its support for the boaters has been praised and at the date of writing the boats have just been enabled to leave the area, albeit with damage to several. Peel has told Cheshire East Council that consultants have been engaged to design a long term solution for the breach, but still no public announcement has been made.

An IWA working group has been set up including Branch and Region representation together with Navigation Committee, to ensure that information is shared and local and national activities are coordinated.

Huddersfield Narrow Canal closure

The rainfall at New Year also led to a structural failure of the embankment supporting the side of Lock 11 West on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal to the north east of Manchester. Lock 11 West sits on a narrow shelf above the River Tame. The narrow strip between the lock and river has partially slipped down into the river, leaving the lock chamber buttresses exposed. Repairs will not be straightforward, not least because the site is particularly difficult to access. CRT mobilised quickly and its engineers and design team are carrying out inspections, to understand the extent of the damage and to prepare a suitable design for reinstatement works.

A news article was posted on the IWA website. The issue was discussed in Navigation Committee’s recent liaison meeting with CRT, when it was confirmed that the initial estimate of cost for the repairs is £1.5m and the earliest possible reopening date is likely to be July or August 2025 – but both dependent on the production of a detailed plan.

Waterway condition

The Bridgewater breach and Huddersfield collapse are not the only major current problems. The Woodseaves cutting on the Shropshire Union Canal was closed due to damage caused by Storm Darragh in early December and is only due to reopen on 31^st January. CRT has told Navigation Committee that £1.3m has already been spent on the cutting and further substantial work will still be needed. This is the most visible pressing issue, but waterways in the North West and particularly the Lancaster Canal are also causing concern. Another company, the Boat Co North in Leeds, has announced it is ending its holiday hire business on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.

As previously reported, CRT had stopped publishing data on the number of unplanned navigation closure days after 2019/20. As a result of the FBW Q&A session with CRT in April 2024, CRT has promised to resume publishing this data and also provided the missing data, which clearly illustrates why boater satisfaction has declined sharply. CRT has launched its Better Boating Plan to prioritise improvements to navigation, starting with a programme to repair all the broken paddles.

More positive news has been received about the Basingstoke Canal, where there is bridge reconstruction and major work including realignment of the aqueduct and potential work on the Greywell Tunnel near Odiham. The work is being funding through canal societies with contributions from local councils.

Navigation Authorities

The issue of most concern at present is funding for Environment Agency (EA) waterways, which at the time of writing has not been confirmed for the financial year starting in April 2025. This is unprecedentedly late for EA to agree its budget with Defra and is hampering planning, as well as casting doubt over the prospect of adequate funding.

Other EA news:

• An additional meeting of the EA National Waterways Forum and National Waterways Advisory Group on 17^th December, where feedback was sought on the 9% increase in registration fees previously announced. Andrew Pearce, the deputy director for asset management who has taken over responsibility for navigation as well as flood risk management, has adopted a more open and proactive approach in seeking to build a constructive relationship with stakeholders, which is very welcome.
• Additional issues on EA waterways are the ongoing closure of Brandon Lock on the Little Ouse and the lack of consultation on a fish pass project on the River Lark, which may impact future navigation restoration efforts.

Navigation Committee’s latest liaison meeting with CRT took place on 14^th January 2025. The highlights were:

• No new conversations with government about funding, though CRT is ensuring that it links into government focus areas
• CRT’s first climate adaptation report was published, aimed at showing how CRT can help with mitigation as well as needing more funds to make the network more resilient (this was notable as the first time CRT has put numbers on the additional funding it needs)
• A new National Boating Manager Alex Hennessey has been appointed
• An extra £3m has been requested to deliver the Better Boating Plan, to fund the paddle repair programme, additional reactive teams and more planned preventative maintenance
• More resources have been allocated for grass cutting and proactive tree management, as well as more IT resources to develop a Boater App
• The Boating subgroup of CRT Trustees has met for the first time
• Details of how to input to the commission on the future of boat licensing are not yet available
• The National Boaters Forum was not well attended and the new approach of regional meetings in local waterways venues may help with this

Navigation Committee heard concerns about CRT’s reduced management of towpath litter collection, leading to increased fly-tipping issues that local authorities may be unable to address due to funding constraints. Examples of volunteer work in partnership with Keep Britain Tidy and the equivalent in devolved nations were cited. Subsequently it has become clear that CRT is undertaking new research to identify the nature and scale of the problem of litter on its network.

Scottish Canals has actually had an increase in capital investment from Government: it received £34.8m in 2023/24, £35.3m in 2024/25 and is to receive £43m in 2025/26. This will enable the replacement of all the bottom gates on the locks between the Kelpies and Lock 16 and the refurbishment of the top gates, but it will still be March 2026 before they are reopened.

IWA has lent its support to the petition launched by Stuart McMillan MSP against Peel Ports’ plans to introduce a charge for leisure boaters to use the tidal River Clyde and Clyde estuary. Scottish Canals is concerned that it will affect Crinan Canal income and is also arguing against it.

The IWA Inland Waterways Freight Group responded to a consultation by the Broads Authority on whether to retain a pilot for larger vessels entering the Broads, supporting the proposal but expressing the hope that any future need for a pilot would be considered favourably.

The Middle Level Commissioners have announced a relatively modest increase of 3.2% in navigation registration fees for 2025. In a notable development they have decided to move away from mirroring EA fees.

Sustainable Boating Group

The price of HVO remains high and variable. The HVO Joint Working Group (IWA, RYA and the Cruising Association) continues to develop ideas for generating a demand from boaters for HVO. Responses are being prepared to the DfT RTFO Statutory Review Call for evidence from both the HVO Joint Working Group and IWA.

Discussions are taking place with the RYA and British Marine to establish a common position on the installation of Lithium Chemistry battery systems on boats. When this has been established an IWA campaign position will be developed.

A dredging group has been set up with the objective of developing the argument for increased dredging of inland navigations, which include quantifying the environmental benefits.

The IWA/Towpath Talk Sustainable Boating Award trophies, made by Malcolm Bridge, have been presented to 2024 recipients. Discussions with Towpath Talk will shortly commence in respect of the 2025 Awards.

Inland Waterways Freight Group

The Freight Operators survey is finished, and a report will be produced. The headlines are that there is slightly more capacity than in 2007 and a few more craft but fewer operators overall, mostly small companies. The Group is now intending to look at wharfs in comparison with 2007 data, and to produce an item for the website about how to move freight by water. There will be freight traffic on the Caledonian Canal to carry out repairs, as the materials have to be brought by water.

Honorary Consultant Engineers

Howard Worth retired at the end of 2024 after 12 years’ service. Navigation Committee is very grateful for his many contributions and for his provision of his archive and offer of future help. Concerningly Howard noted a rapid decline in enquiries for advice.

Fund Britain’s Waterways (FBW)

FBW membership now stands at 145 organisations, after sadly losing one when the Thames Motor Boaters Association was wound up by Tony Riley before his recent death. Tony made a huge contribution to the waterways in general and the Thames in particular and will be greatly missed.

FBW has responded to an invitation to make a submission to the Government’s Spending Review 2025, with the same requests as the submission to the Autumn Budget 2024 but a strengthened argument citing the demonstrated need for additional funding to prepare the waterways for more frequent severe weather events.

Les Etheridge stood down as founding Chair of FBW at the end-of 2024 and the steering group has welcomed Mike Wills as interim Chair. An expanded campaign cruise is in planning for 2025: Doncaster – London – the Wash – Middle Level. The intention is to deliver the best possible cruise while reviewing the future direction and approach of FBW.

Sue O’Hare
Chair of Navigation Committee
31^st January 2025

Navigation Committee’s last meeting on 2^nd October covered a wide range of topics but confirmed the committee’s view that the state of the waterways network is the single most pressing topic and is of great concern.

Changing Use of the Waterways

Members may have seen the article by Peter Johns in the October 2024 issue of Waterways World entitled ‘The Future of the Waterways’. Peter highlighted that cruising on our waterways has been declining while residential use of boats has been increasing, and argued that the latter is driving the former. In Peter’s view, new residents on boats are less keen on moving, and this is the main reason for declining boat movements.

Peter backed up his comments with a plot of annual lockage data from CRT showing a clear decline from around 2016-17 in use of the 33 most heavily used locks. This chimes with data on decreased lock usage previously shared with Navigation Committee, as well as with reports from around the system of quiet waterways. Decreasing cruising is a cause for concern, because silting and vegetation growth are more likely, and ultimately because a little-used waterway is much easier to close – which of course is one of the motivations for IWA’s popular Silver Propeller Challenge.

Navigation Committee discussed the situation in depth and concluded that there are other factors as well as residential boating behind the decline in cruising. The recent IWA Boaters’ Survey showed that some boaters are reconsidering or restricting their cruising areas or even considering giving up boating, because of the uncertainty and difficulty caused by unplanned stoppages and lack of maintenance. CRT’s Annual Boaters’ Survey showed that the proportion of boaters who are satisfied with their experience has fallen from a peak of 76% in 2017 to 46% in 2024. It is surely no coincidence that the decline in lock usage on CRT waterways has coincided with the decline in boater satisfaction.

Of course there are many other possible factors too, such as the cost of living crisis, the increasing age of the current cohort of boaters, poor weather and relatively cheap overseas holidays and cruises. And all this is – at least anecdotally – having a knock-on effect on waterway businesses like hire companies, marinas and pubs. But the bottom line for Navigation Committee is the importance of ensuring that the waterways are in the best possible condition for all types of users.

State of the Waterways

The IWA Boaters’ Survey painted a picture of declining condition since boaters’ previous cruises and in the long term over the total period that they had been boating. The CRT Boaters’ Survey corroborates this but also shows disparity across the regions (the East and West Midlands are performing better than other regions) and between liveaboard and leisure boaters (the latter are more satisfied). Both surveys clearly demonstrate the argument of the Fund Britain’s Waterways campaign that our waterways are already deteriorating and action is needed urgently.

It is heartening to see the recognition by CRT of the importance of addressing the fall in boater satisfaction, and its statement that the most important driver for improving satisfaction can be seen as the maintenance and upkeep of the network. Assessing the state of maintenance is difficult. The Inland Waterways Freight Group has reported that most commercial narrowboats have to run with part loads because of inadequate dredging. The frequency and duration of unplanned stoppages is an indicator, but CRT stopped publishing the target and actual figures in 2019/20, at which point the number of days of unplanned closure was trending up but not definitively. No equivalent data has yet been found for other navigation authorities, and this is an area of ongoing effort.

Grand Union Canal Transfer Scheme

The Grand Union Canal Transfer is a proposed scheme to move water from the Midlands to the South East. It is a joint water transfer project between CRT and two water companies, Severn Trent and Affinity Water. The primary aim is to secure future drinking water supplies in the south east, but other benefits are envisaged including increased resilience of water supply for canal navigation. From CRT’s perspective not only would it bring income, it would also make clear the role of canals as a part of the national infrastructure.

The proposal is that water will be transferred by underground pipeline from a proposed new water treatment plant at the existing Minworth Wastewater Recycling Centre to the Coventry Canal at Atherstone. It will then flow along the Oxford and Grand Union Canals, with some adaptations to existing infrastructure and some new infrastructure such as pumping stations and gravity bypasses. It will then flow into a proposed water treatment works and water storage, before it is transferred by underground pipeline to Affinity Water’s customers. CRT has stated that ensuring navigation is core to the scheme, but there will evidently be some implications of introducing a flow and changes in water level. Other aspects such as environment, heritage and restoration may also be affected.

The first public consultation is now open and will run until 25 October 2024. It is very much an initial consultation and at this stage there is little technical detail. Navigation Committee will be leading IWA’s response, and input can be passed to Amy Tillson.

Navigation Authorities

Navigation Committee responded on behalf of IWA to the Environment Agency (EA) consultation on its proposed boat registration charges from January 2025, expressing concern about the increase but recognising the challenges facing EA, whilst noting the considerable inadequacies in the management of its navigations. A recent example is the length limit of 60’ imposed on boats wishing to transit Salter’s Lode Lock owing to siltation, despite the spend of £300k on dredging which finished only 12 weeks earlier.

Sue O’Hare attended the recent CRT Council meeting at the Black Country Living Museum as IWA representative. The main focus areas for the day were the financial position and boater satisfaction, and it was pleasing to see the attention being given to the latter in particular. In the recent regular Navigation Committee liaison meeting with National Boating Manager Matthew Symonds it was confirmed that Defra has told CRT that the grant settlement from the previous government is confirmed and is not at risk in the spending review. Apparently Defra sees this as good news, but CRT does not and nor do IWA or Fund Britain’s Waterways – hence all are continuing to lobby for a full review of waterway funding. The liaison meeting also discussed stoppages, use of the waterways and the rollout of the new CRT Towpath Code. We had previously asked for regional/national CRT meetings to be more consistent in their format and more visibly advertised, and can report that most of these are now on the CRT website together with new National Boaters Forum meetings.

Navigation Committee’s Scottish representatives reported that Scottish Canals has reduced the published depth of the Forth & Clyde Canal to 1.65m, with an advisory note that the maximum draft of vessels should not exceed 1.40m. When the canal was reopened in 2001 the corresponding figures were 1.83m and 1.70m respectively. One of the key objectives for the restoration and reopening was to enable transits across the country, with the anticipation that over 250 boats from the east coast would make the journey each year to access the sailing areas on the west coast and avoid the hazardous lengthy voyage around the Pentland Firth or the passage through the Caledonian Canal. This level of through traffic has never been reached and in recent years numbers of transiting boats have been decreasing rapidly owing to lack of maintenance, unplanned stoppages and lack of dredging and a consequent reputation for unreliability. The new published depth will further restrict the types of boat which can transit. If maintenance of navigation is not given a higher priority, it is likely that there will be a significant reduction in boat movements along the canal – despite the Scottish Government stating in its policy document on canals that it wishes to see further growth in the numbers of boats navigating its canals.

The Broads Authority has published a briefing on navigation charges for 2025/26 that explains some stark options. By law all navigation costs for the Broads have to be paid from boat tolls, but boat numbers are decreasing and hence tolls need to increase. In January IWA submitted a representation to the Secretary of State regarding previous toll increases, urging the government to recognise the necessity of financial support to ensure the continued maintenance of navigation and preservation of the Broads’ character. Appropriate provision would enable tolls to be kept affordable and boats to continue as a defining feature of the Broads, enjoyed by many people other than boaters.

Ongoing Campaigns

Navigation Committee’s two subgroups continue to be very active. The Sustainable Boating Group is continuing to develop relationships and lobby for HVO to be available and affordable to leisure boaters, and has responded to the Defra survey of the use of solid fuel on boats. The Inland Waterways Freight Group is progressing its survey of the sector and working on documents including a manifesto, and also contributed to IWA’s response to the National Planning Policy Framework consultation as well as responding to the Port of London Authority’s General Directions consultation. Both Groups submitted a representation for consideration in the Autumn Budget and/or Spending Review.

Navigation Committee received updates from the ongoing campaigns about HS2, Bridgwater Docks and Fund Britain’s Waterways.

• IWA’s HS2 lead Phil Sharpe reported that the future of HS2 and other rail projects is still said to be under review, with no decisions expected before the budget at the end of October. Meanwhile two reports have been published. The Fix The Spine Report by a coalition of transport experts urged government to prioritise delivery of a Stafford bypass line. The Opportunity Through Connectivity report was commissioned by the Greater Manchester and West Midlands Mayors and considers three options for a Midlands-North West Rail link replacement for the cancelled HS2 route. Uncertainty about the impact on the Trent & Mersey Canal around Great Haywood continues.
• Ray Alexander of IWA West Country Branch reported that the Treasury has signed off the Bridgwater Tidal Barrier Project at an estimated cost of £230m, which compares with an original estimate 10 years ago of £24.5m. IWA (and others) have had no communication since last December from the project team at Somerset Council responsible for the Bridgwater Docks regeneration project, not for the want of trying.
• Fund Britain’s Waterways submitted a representation for consideration in the Autumn Budget and/or Spending Review. It is running a social media campaign from 4-13 October to encourage signatures on the petition and letters to new MPs, and planning campaign cruises for 2025.

Navigation Committee Members

We were delighted to welcome three new Navigation Committee members to the meeting:

• Gerry Heward (recently appointed Chair of the Inland Waterways Freight Group)
• Neil Kitchener (recently appointed second IWA representative for Scotland and IWA representative on Scottish Waterways for All)
• Paul Thomas (recently appointed Region Secretary for South West and South Wales Region and nominated representative for Navigation Committee).

If anyone is interested in joining us please do get in touch for an informal discussion.

Sue O’Hare
Chair of Navigation Committee
10^th October 2024

Navigation Committee’s last meeting on 17th July had two main subjects: responses to current consultations, and decreasing boater satisfaction with their experience of the waterways.

Reservoir Proposals

As explained in Amy Tillson’s article on reservoirs in the Autumn 2024 issue of Waterways, two major new reservoirs are planned for East Anglia. Anglian Water has been consulting on its proposals for the South Lincolnshire Reservoir and the Fens Reservoir and Navigation Committee has responded to both consultations in conjunction with local IWA experts. In each case we are keen to support the reservoir, while seeking to maximise navigation and public benefit opportunities. In particular IWA advocates for open channel transfer of water rather than culverting, providing environmental and recreational benefits and avoiding ecological risks.

A third major reservoir is planned, Thames Water’s South East Strategic Reservoir Option (SESRO) near Abingdon. This project is both an opportunity and a threat to the restoration of the Wilts & Berks Canal. Navigation Committee will be responding and we urge waterway supporters to do the same, using the guidance here.

Proposed Environment Agency Boat Registration Fees

The Environment Agency (EA) is consulting on its proposed boat registration charges from January 2025. Following three years of relatively modest increases the Agency is proposing to increase boat registration fees by 9% next year and in line with inflation (based on CPI) after 2025. Navigation Committee will be responding expressing concern about the increase and recognising the challenges facing EA, but also noting the considerable inadequacies in the management of its navigations. The extended closures on Anglian waterways and at Glasson Dock on the Lancaster Canal are perhaps the most obvious recent examples of problems, but there is also much discontent among boaters on the Thames about declining standards of management. The EA National Navigation Team is preparing the next version of its Navigation Strategy and we have made clear that IWA Navigation Committee is keen to input.

Boater Satisfaction

The findings of the IWA Boaters’ Survey 2023 showing a picture of declining condition of the waterways have been published and shared with navigation authorities. In this light it was particularly interesting to see the results of the CRT Annual Boaters’ Survey 2024. The most significant finding was that “The proportion of boaters who are satisfied with their experience has seen a significant decline since 2023, down by 8 percentage points to 46% (from 54% in 2023) – falling from a peak of 76% in 2017… the most important driver for improving satisfaction can be seen as the maintenance and upkeep of the network, for both liveaboard and leisure boaters.” IWA representatives are participating in workshops on how to improve boater satisfaction and a plan of action and response to key concerns is expected.

Both surveys clearly demonstrate the argument of the Fund Britain’s Waterways campaign that our waterways are already deteriorating and action is needed urgently.

River Hull

IWA recently received an enquiry from the Beverley Barge Preservation Society about Ennerdale Bridge on the River Hull, which is a pair of lift bridges. The bridge has been out of action since March and the BBPS is losing bookings. Repair is in the hands of the local council which is well aware of the issue but will take a few months because a road closure needs to be authorised. More information is available here.

HS2 Campaign

Navigation Committee received an update from IWA’s HS2 Lead Representative Phil Sharpe explaining that since Parliament was dissolved on 30 May, the HS2 Select Committee ceased to exist although the Phase 2b Bill is potentially carried forward to the new Parliament and uncertainty therefore continues.

Meanwhile Phil has submitted two sets of comments:

1. on an amended application to North Warwickshire Council for approval of construction details of the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal Viaduct, which will cross the canal at a skew angle between Curdworth Locks 5 and 6. In this case he reinforced his previous arguments that HS2 has persistently failed to recognise canal users as noise ‘receptors’ and has therefore provided no noise mitigation barriers where the route crosses or runs close to canals, in contrast with land-based facilities such as a football training ground.

2. an application approved by Lichfield DC for construction of Wood End Lane Underbridge, pointing out a number of significant errors and misleading information in the plans and documents submitted.

Heritage Harbours and Inland Ports

A total of 14 Heritage Harbours and Inland Ports is expected by autumn and more in are in progress including Gloucester. It will become a stand-alone movement in due course, but meanwhile a sponsored host is offering support especially in lead up to Heritage Open Days. David Struckett will keep up to date and report back.

Inland Waterways Freight Group

John Spencer has resigned as Chair of the Inland Waterways Freight Group owing to pressures of work. Navigation Committee has recorded its thanks for the expertise, energy and enthusiasm he has put into reviving the Freight Group. He will remain on the committee, and suggested Gerry Heward as successor which the Group has agreed. This was approved subject to confirmation from Trustees.

Navigation Committee received a report from Gerry explaining that the Group has continued to focus on influencing Government to increase water freight by 20% on the UK’s inland waterways and rivers based on the economic, environmental and social benefits. A list of key tasks has been created in order to focus limited resources:

• Sector Survey – Gerry Heward is leading with support from Peter Marlow. He has contacted 80 water freight operators and so far has 42 completed surveys.
• Tideway Case Study – completed by John Spencer
• Annual Report on the UK’s water freight sector – An idea to be developed with a view to the report being picked up by the mainstream media so as to raise the Group’s profile.
• Guide on ‘How to influence Government’ – Gerry Heward and Pamela Mounter have produced a short document to highlight the key points and the best channels to use to influence Government ministers and policy makers. This is nearly finished, but with the new Government the key contacts in the various departments need to be established.
• Planning Toolkit – This is at the early stages of development and will need an owner.
• Planning Application responses – As John Spencer identified, the Group has a concern that potential users of water freight and the public have some misconceptions about rivers and waterways and the potential advantages of using inland waterways for freight transport. There is clearly also a need to focus on planners and planning policy to ensure that adequate access is retained alongside our inland waterways and rivers to ensure the option to use water freight is always available.
• In addition to John Spencer’s involvement in campaigns to Save Chatham Docks and Northfleet Riverside, the Group has provided some input to the IWA response to a planning application on the Exeter Ship Canal. The Group has also responded to a planning application at Bow West on the River Lee to request consideration for water transport during the development phase and afterwards as part of the operational development making Bow West a tri-modal freight interchange hub.
• Recruitment of new members to the Group and a Deputy Chair role.

Sustainable Boating Group

Navigation Committee received the following report from the Sustainable Boating Group:

1. HVO Working Group

Demand nationally for ‘Red’ HVO has dropped off dramatically because of increased demand for ‘White’ from the construction industry. This, and increased attention from HMRC on VAT and Duty issues, has led to supply problems at the wholesale level and continuing price fluctuations.

Unfortunately, our primary contact at the DfT is on maternity leave and our other contact has left the department. We have secondary contacts, but they have been in ‘purgatory’ pending the general election. Now, with the change of government, we will have to see what policy changes, if any, result and re-establish our contacts.

2. The IWA/Towpath Talk Sustainable Boating Award.

We have received 6 nominations (for 5 companies) in the Commercial section and 2 nominations in the Non-commercial section. The appointment of judges will be discussed at our meeting on 31st of

July but, subject to agreement with TT, we envisage 4 judges, 2 each from IWA and TT. Malcolm Bridge will chair the judging panel in a non- voting capacity.

We expect to publish the full entries towards the end of next week.

3. Trustees and the AGM

It has been suggested at a recent Trustee Board meeting that the work of the Sustainable Boating Group could be a topic for discussion at a future Trustee Board meeting and/or a presentation at the September AGM. Both are currently being considered.

4. Visits

The SBG will visit Ortomarine, a leading builder of electric narrowboats, on 25th September.

5. Crick

The Sustainable Boating Group was present on the IWA Stand at Crick.

6. Consultancy

Jonathan Mosse continues to provide consultancy assistance to the Fountainbridge Canal Community Trust.

7. Media

The work of the Sustainable Boating Group and the Sustainable Boating Award were publicised in the June edition of Towpath Talk. Further articles relating to domestic energy are anticipated. Jonathan Mosse will feature in the next edition of ‘Waterways’.

8. Electric Hookups, National Standard for Installations

Little progress has been made. We have made contact with Midland Connect who have expressed an interest but little progress so far.

Navigation Committee Members

Navigation Committee would like to record its appreciation of the contribution made by Andrew Strawson, who stepped down as South West and South Wales Region representative in June 2024. Andrew was very active during his two years on the committee, particularly as local lead for Lydney Harbour and in organising the IWA/FBW involvement in events in Gloucester Docks including most recently the Tall Ships Festival. We will miss Andrew and send our thanks and very best wishes.

Sue O’Hare
Chair of Navigation Committee

4th August 2024

Navigation Committee last met on 22^nd May. The topic of most concern continues to be the situation of our waterways, because of the combined impact of the winter storms, failures of ageing infrastructure, inadequate maintenance, and inadequate funding.

Waterway Funding and Condition

Canal & River Trust continues to have major unplanned stoppages (e.g. Easenhall cutting on the North Oxford Canal and Lowsonford Locks on the Stratford-on-Avon Canal, both now reopened, and the failure of another lock cill on the Wigan Flight on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal).

As reported in a recent IWA press release, Anglian waterways are suffering from an apparent epidemic of stoppages by the Environment Agency, the Cam Conservators and most recently by CRT on the Northampton Arm of the Grand Union Canal. As a result the Upper Great Ouse, the Ely Ouse and the Middle Levels are all isolated from one another, and no boats are able to get to the extremities of the Ely Ouse’s tributaries at Cambridge or Brandon. Whilst the waterways are open either side of all these closures, the result is a fragmented system with users prevented from accessing key facilities and services and hire boats trapped.

Boaters’ Survey

Thanks are due to all who responded to the Boaters’ User Experience Survey 2023. As well as providing a snapshot of waterways condition from user experience in 2023, this will act as a useful benchmark for monitoring the condition in future years. A report will be published shortly and it is planned to share a summary report with navigation authorities.

Ongoing Campaigns

• Residential Boating

Indications are that more boaters are static and fewer making long trips, which may be because more boats are residential, demonstrating a change in the use of the waterways. Defra has shown some interest and recognised some issues and explained that the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has responsibility for the housing aspect. Navigation Committee is continuing to press for the revision of the Association of Inland Navigation Authorities’ document “Residential use of Inland Waterways” as the definitive statement.

• Neath and Tennant Canals

In a positive development, an options appraisal study for the Neath and Tennant Canals has been announced by Neath Port Talbot Council, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Heritage Places initiative. Navigation Committee will be keen to contribute and to encourage the sustainable regeneration of the canal system.

• HS2

Navigation Committee received an update from IWA’s HS2 Lead Representative, Phil Sharpe, explaining that even though HS2 has been cancelled north of Birmingham, uncertainty continues about the implications for waterways. This is partly because of the intention to continue with the Northern Powerhouse Rail section towards Manchester and partly because the connection of HS2 to the West Coast Mainline at Handsacre is problematic.

Meetings

Navigation Committee benefited from several meetings with navigation authorities and with Defra during April and May. A meeting with the Environment Agency was particularly helpful since it increased the seniority of EA representatives known to the Committee by introducing the Deputy Director Asset Management Systems, who has recently assumed responsibility for navigation assets as well as for flood and coastal assets. Other meetings included CRT (the National User Forum, the Council Boater Representatives Group, and the regular Navigation Committee liaison meeting), the Environment Agency National Waterways Forum and the CEO of Scottish Canals.

Consultation Responses

Three consultations are currently open, with a common deadline of 9^th August 2024:

• Environment Agency proposal to increase boat registration fees by 9% from January 2025 https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/environment-and-business/charges-proposal-boat-reg/
• Anglian Water’s proposed Fens Reservoir https://fensreservoir.co.uk/
• Anglian Water’s proposed Lincolnshire Reservoir https://www.lincsreservoir.co.uk/

Navigation Committee will be responding to all three on behalf of IWA. Input is welcomed and should be sent to Amy Tillson.

Inland Waterways Freight Group

The Group has put together a long and a short version of a report on the “Benefits of Transporting Freight on Rivers and the Likely Results of Underfunding of Waterways” which will be published shortly. Plans are in hand for work with a university to produce a water freight study and policy document. A survey is in progress to gather information from water freight operators to help properly understand the size and make-up of the sector and its contribution to the UK economy. A case study has been completed of the socio-economic benefits of using water freight at scale on a large project.

Campaigning activities have included working alongside the Save Chatham Docks Group, Arcelor Mittal and Kelly Tolhurst (former MP for Chatham and Rochester) to save Chatham Docks from redevelopment, and writing to Gravesham Council about their grant of planning consent for a development at Northfleet riverside which will see several working wharves closed down. A submission to the Department for Transport about the use of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) is almost ready. Looking ahead, the Freight Group is working on its approach to influence the next government, and starting work on new projects about improving perception of transport by water and influencing planning policy.

Sustainable Boating Group

Little progress is likely to be made with the adoption of HVO until its wholesale price, compared with mineral diesel, can be stabilised. The premium has recently varied between 12% and 35%. The HVO Working Group is trying to understand the reasons for this volatility, which are complex.

The Sustainable Boating Group had a stand at Electrika, the first boat show for electric boats. The show was small but successful and a variety of useful contacts were made. The Group was also present on IWA’s stand at Crick Boat Show.

Sue O’Hare
Chair of Navigation Committee
5^th June 2024

Boaters’ Survey

There was a good response to the IWA Boaters’ User Experience Survey 2023 and thanks to Peter Marlow a draft summary report has been produced. Ivor Caplan will bring a final report to the Navigation Committee meeting on 22 May and it will then go forward to the Trustees meeting on 29 May.

Salter’s Lode

Following the IWA press release on 6 March (https://waterways.org.uk/about-us/news/navigation-authorities-stand-off) the Environment Agency comms team requested that their response was added to the website article, and provided the correct contact points and protocol for articles concerning EA waterways.

IWA was subsequently notified that de-silting work would commence between Denver and Salter’s Lode from 2 April and would be carried out sequentially, starting at Denver Lock and moving downstream to Salter’s Lode, and would take several weeks to complete.

Passage through Salter’s Lode Lock and hence transit between the Middle Level Navigations and the Great Ouse will not be available until these works are complete. Navigation Committee is concerned about the slow progress and the continuing uncertain completion date, and suggested that the dredging could start at Salter’s Lode where the problem is and alternative faster techniques could be used, but neither suggestion was accepted.

As a result of the correspondence Navigation Committee has an introductory meeting scheduled for 19 April with Rachael McFarlane, maternity cover for Jo Scully as job-share EA National Navigation Manager.

Tidal Trent

Nick Roberts of Trentlink has raised concerns that West Stockwith and Keadby Locks (between the tidal Trent and the Chesterfield Canal and the Stainforth & Keadby Canal respectively) may not be manned and available every day and/or on every tide over summer, owing to resource shortages in CRT. Nick is coordinating nine organisations, including IWA and NABO, who are all keen to ensure that the locks continue to be available for safety reasons as well as ensuring availability of navigation.

Forthcoming meetings

• CRT National User Forum, 17 April
• Department for Culture, Media and Sport, 22 April
• EA National Waterways Forum, 25 April
• CRT Council boater representatives group, 2 May

Sue O’Hare
Deputy Chair (Navigation and Campaigns)
14 April 2024

Navigation Committee held its annual face-to-face meeting at the Roundhouse in Birmingham on Saturday 23rd March 2024. It was good to be together and to discuss various areas where positive progress has been made, particularly in view of the increasingly apparent impact of inadequate funding on waterways across the country. The rationale for the Fund Britain’s Waterways campaign is becoming ever more starkly clear. 

Waterway Funding and Condition 

Starting with the Canal & River Trust, Sue O’Hare reported on her first CRT Council meeting as IWA’s new representative, on 20th March in Liverpool. Two sobering themes ran through the meeting. Firstly, the major storms over winter were unprecedented in both their number and their broad impact across the country, resulting in widespread damage and a knock-on effect on planned maintenance work. Secondly, the incident at Toddbrook Reservoir in 2019 has led to an unprecedented programme of work on reservoirs, which is currently taking up half of CRT’s total infrastructure spend with clear implications for work on waterways. 

The committee was concerned to see an analysis of CRT stoppage data for the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. This showed that the canal was open end-to-end for 100 days fewer in 2023 than in 2016, and that the number of unplanned stoppages had risen from 4 in 2016 to about 26 in 2023. Anecdotally this substantial decline in availability appears to be causing a reduction in cruising as boaters are uncertain about being able to reach their destination. This sample data shows the scope for further analysis and discussion. 

Funding-related issues are becoming evident across Environment Agency waterways. On the Thames, volunteer lock keepers are to be removed for this summer, meaning a 30% reduction in the number of lock keepers, and six locks have major problems. In East Anglia, the lack of dredging by the EA means that Salter’s Lode Lock cannot be opened. Since this is the link between the Middle Level Navigations and the Great Ouse, 130 miles of waterway have been cut off from the rest of the network with no opening date at the time of writing. Boaters have been stranded and businesses are suffering. Lack of maintenance in adjacent areas is also calling into question the effectiveness of flood defence and alleviation plans for local communities.  

The committee heard of long winter closures on Scottish canals and many other concerns there. In Wales, correspondence has continued with Neath Port Talbot Council about the proposed reduction in funding for the Neath Canal and the effect it will have on public access to the towpath.  

More positively, boaters are continuing to complete the IWA Silver Propeller Challenge. The Challenge has been running since 2018 and offers a plaque for everyone who visits 20 different places on the list of underused waterways by any type of boat, canoe or paddleboard. 

In order to gather data about the boater experience in current conditions, Navigation Committee launched the Boaters’ User Experience Survey 2023 on 29th February, with a deadline of 29th March for responses. The results will be reported on in a later edition of Waterways. 

Trentlink and the Tidal Trent  

We were joined at this meeting by Nick Roberts of the Trentlink group as a guest speaker. Nick explained the aim of the group to increase the number of vessels using the tidal Trent and to improve the navigation. It is primarily a Facebook group which has grown to almost 2,000 members, with an associated website to store documents. There is a long way to go to realise the vision of the Trent as a generally accepted route between the Midland and Northern waterways with the benefits of greatly reduced lockage and increased speed. However a huge amount of effort has resulted in an impressive repository of useful documents for boaters, as well as practical work to improve ease and safety of navigation. We are keen to continue working closely with Nick and Trentlink and wish them every success. 

Consultation Responses 

Navigation Committee responded to a consultation by Natural Resources Wales on reducing the flood risk for properties alongside the river Neath. Two of the five options proposed involve complete or partial demolition of Aberdulais Aqueduct, which carries the Tennant Canal over the River Neath. The aqueduct is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and its removal would frustrate restoration proposals to bring the Neath and Tennant Canals back to life as well as impacting the wellbeing, environmental and heritage benefits. 

A response was also submitted to the River Thames Scheme consultation on proposals to reduce flood risk on the Lower Thames between Egham and Teddington. Navigation Committee supported Paddle UK (formerly British Canoeing) in stressing the need to safeguard navigation and access to the channels where the River Thames flows. 

Lastly, an IWA representation was submitted to the Port of London Authority on a Harbour Revision Order. Also on the Thames, intensive discussions between several parties and CRT have resulted in a safer and more workable solution than the originally proposed reduction in opening hours for Limehouse Lock between the Regent’s Canal and the tidal Thames.  

Inland Waterways Freight Group 

The Freight Group has continued to focus on getting firm data on the inland waterways freight sector. The Group is putting together documents to support the case for the use of HVO in small (gross tonnage less than 500) vessels operating on Category C and D waters, working with the Sustainable Boating Group.  

Sustainable Boating Group 

The HVO Joint Working Group continues to meet and now includes representation from British Marine. The premium of HVO to mineral diesel is still too high and is also very volatile. The IWA/Towpath Talk Sustainable Boating Award has been launched in both Towpath Talk and Waterways, with a closing date of 1st July 2024. The Sustainable Boating Group will have a presence at Electrika 2024, an exhibition of electric narrowboats and boating, to be held on May 3rd and 4th at Brinklow Marina. The Group organised a visit to Barrus in Bicester to hear about the hydrogen-powered narrowboat they have built. 

Navigation Committee Chair and Deputy Chairs 

Owing to increased commitments John Pomfret has stepped down as Deputy Chair of Navigation Committee, although we will continue to value his expert contributions as a member. We welcome Roger Stocker as John’s successor. Roger will work alongside Ivor Caplan and Sue O’Hare, who will continue as Deputy Chair and Chair respectively. The Committee recognises John’s enormous contributions over many years and has recorded its thanks. 

Sue O’Hare

Chair of Navigation Committee and Trustee

25th March 2024 

Navigation Committee’s first meeting of 2024 took place on 31^st January.  Much of our discussion reflected the consequences of inadequate funding on the condition of waterways.  More positively, the Committee received updates on the ongoing Bridgwater Docks and HS2 campaigns, and from the Inland Waterways Freight Group and the Sustainable Boating Group.

Waterway Funding and Condition

Navigation Committee has recently made two interventions in specific funding-related situations. We sent a letter to Neath Port Talbot Council expressing concern about the proposed cessation of funding for the Neath Canal and the effect it would have on public access to the towpath. We also submitted a representation to the Secretary of State for Transport regarding the toll increases imposed on boaters on Broads Authority navigations, urging the government to recognise the necessity of financial support for navigation to ensure the Broads’ essential character can be preserved.

The major topic discussed in the most recent regular meeting with the Canal & River Trust on 11^th December 2023 was the serious impact that unplanned and lengthy stoppages are having on boaters. Three case studies from individual boaters were provided to Canal & River Trust in advance of the meeting and clearly made an impact, being shared at senior level within CRT.  A response outlining CRT’s plans to improve the situation is expected.

Some Environment Agency waterways, particularly the non-tidal Thames, are suffering from reduced maintenance coupled with flooding.  The National Navigation Team recently responded to the request for waterway condition data that we made over a year ago. It transpires that there is only one Key Performance Indicator, which is that 80% of essential assets are at or above target condition. While there is a duty to provide navigation and the aim is to exceed the KPI, it is the current target and is all that is reported on. The data showed an increasing trend from 80% in 2016/17 to 86% in 2022/23. Unfortunately this trend is not borne out by reported user experiences on some waterways, showing the inadequacy of a single high-level KPI covering all waterways. The EA also provided an estimate of the number of unplanned navigation days lost over the last three years, but this does not show any consistent trend.

Navigation Committee has been developing a method of gathering data about the condition of waterways, and there will be further news in the near future.

Bridgwater Docks

IWA West Country Branch reported on the real start of the Bridgwater Docks regeneration project, enabled by substantial grants from the Towns Fund and the Active Travel Fund. The new unitary authority Somerset Council will manage the project and transfer ownership of the Docks to Bridgwater Town Council when work is complete.

HS2

Since the cancellation of HS2 Phase 2 was announced, there had been little further information, until a meeting of the House of Commons Transport Committee on 10th January heard evidence from the HS2 Executive Chair. IWA’s HS2 lead Phil Sharpe reported on possible implications for the Trent & Mersey and Staffordshire & Worcestershire canals which mean that uncertainty may yet continue for some time.

Inland Waterways Freight Group

To underpin its work the Freight Group has been updating IWA’s Freight Policy. It has agreed on three work streams and targets for this year. In summary, the first is to develop a policy brief for civil servants and ministers based on quantitative information about the freight sector. The second is to influence government to commit to setting a target for the increase in the tonnage moved by water in a set time frame. The third, working with the Sustainable Boating Group, is to put together a case for HVO to be considered the only current low carbon option for freight vessels on UK categorised waters, and then to press for a mechanism for it to be made affordable.

Sustainable Boating Group

The HVO Joint Working Group representing IWA, RYA and the Cruising Association made a presentation to the APPG for the Waterways on 28^th November. On the same day meetings were held with the Department for Transport and with Zemo, a major consultant to DfT on the subject of sustainable fuels. Following the DfT meeting, DfT changed their guidance on HVO on boats such that fuel supplied to an inland waterways craft can now be used for any purpose, domestic or propulsion. This has greatly simplified the marketing of HVO and slightly reduced the price, but HVO is still unacceptably more expensive than mineral diesel and more work with government is required.

The Sustainable Boating Group is setting up a working group to develop a national standard for installation of electric hook-ups. Involvement is to be sought from DfT, the EA, Association of Inland Navigation Authorities and others.

Three members of the Sustainable Boating Group, Bowman Bradley, Jonathan Mosse and Adam Wyllie, now sit on various Boat Safety Scheme committees.

The new IWA/Towpath Talk Sustainable Boating Award was launched in the Spring 2024 issue of Waterways and will be featured in the March edition of Towpath Talk.

Limehouse Lock

Paul Strudwick (London Region Chair) and Sue O’Hare (Navigation Committee Chair) joined the Association of Waterways Cruising Clubs, the Barge Association, Rammey Marsh Cruising Club and the RYA in signing a letter sent by St Pancras Cruising Club to CRT explaining concerns about the safety risks introduced by the revised opening hours for Limehouse Lock between the Regent’s Canal and the tidal Thames. Paul Strudwick is leading for IWA in ongoing discussions.

Committee Membership

Owing to increasing work commitments Alison Smedley has stepped down as both a member of Navigation Committee and the IWA representative on Scottish Waterways for All. The Committee recognises Alison’s enormous contributions over many years and has recorded its thanks.

Sue O’Hare

Chair of Navigation Committee and Trustee

2nd February 2024

Navigation Committee’s last meeting of 2023 took place on 29^th November. Our discussions reflected the Fund Britain’s Waterways campaign and ongoing debates about funding for navigation authorities.

IWA’s first meeting with the inland waterways team at Defra for some years took place on 27^th November, at their request. We had a positive discussion about the benefits of waterways and highlighted recent research by British Marine which estimates the market generated by boaters to have delivered £3.1bn in GVA to the UK economy in 2022/23, helping to sustain thousands of businesses across the UK – the majority of which are small, family-run businesses that are vital links in the rural economy. Defra is doing a piece of work on rural growth, linking with DCMS on the development of a sustainable tourism plan, and welcomed British Marine’s findings as directly relevant. On the question of funding, the Defra team followed the government line closely and suggested that CRT and other navigation authorities should look for alternative funding from other departments such as DCMS and the Department for Transport.

Navigation Committee has recently become aware of funding-related issues on the Broads. The Broads Hire Boat Federation has lodged a formal objection to the 13% increase in boat tolls that the Broads Authority introduced for 2023/24. At the same time five local MPs have written to the Broads Authority expressing their concerns about the further 8.5% increase planned for 2024/25. Clearly navigation is of vital importance to the Broads and there is a need for sufficient funding to maintain safe and appealing waterways, and Navigation Committee plans to make representations along these lines. We were pleased to have a very helpful discussion with the new Chair of the Broads Society (an IWA corporate member) to understand more of the background.

Navigation Committee has been discussing for some time how best to monitor the condition of waterways, partly in response to concerns from members and partly in view of the likelihood that funding for maintenance will decrease. We are also keen to understand why the number of boats cruising appears to be reducing and whether the two are related. Look out for developments on this subject in the near future.

A highlight of the last few weeks has been the progress of the IWA Sustainable Boating Group in its work on making HVO available to leisure boaters at an acceptable cost. The Chair Bowman Bradley presented at the recent meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Waterways on 28^th November, together with Crown Oils. The same day representatives of IWA, RYA, the Cruising Association and Crown Oils attended a meeting with the Department for Transport. Both meetings were very positive in moving the agenda forward.

Lastly, a vacancy has arisen for a North East Region representative on Navigation Committee and I would welcome hearing from anyone interested in joining us.

Sue O’Hare

Chair of Navigation Committee and Trustee

4^th December 2023