Update sailors' May 2009
This month we cover the results of the strategic review of BW and the Government's decision on the allocation BW canalside property. Find what a photocopier, a propeller plane and a fridge full of food have in common, that there are a reader offer to visit this year's Crick Boat Show.
Changes in body weight
BW has announced the results of a major strategic review expected to form the basis for the revival continued and long-term sustainability of the 2,200 miles of canals and rivers in their care.
The main proposals are to increase efficiency, open a new funding and partnership opportunities to build closer links with local communities and change begins gradually over the next decade to achieve a BW waterway "trusted third sector" or charity.
As a first step, body weight is proposing an internal restructuring of its operations in England and Wales with the creation of 11 smaller units hands on the tracks, the removal a layer of management and consultation with staff and unions PN, about 100 layoffs in the office. Along with other changes under these proposals would approximately 10 million pounds per year to be sent to channel maintenance.
BW is seeking views of stakeholders in the new proposal limits BW and welcomes suggestions for the name of the particular waterway groups. For more information on the public consultation and for details on how to participate see boundaryconsultationresponse www.britishwaterways.co.uk/ BW website. The deadline for responses is 6 July 2009 and published BW a short report following the consultation summary of the information obtained and the boundary changes made as a result.
In the longer term, BW believes is the right time for some new ideas on what to say waterways to Britain and how its sustainable future could be guaranteed. BW This month will launch a public debate on the role of former British industrial channels and rivers, highlighting the significant contribution views today's society and looking in his proposals how should be used, implemented and funded in the future.
Central to the debate is BW's view that now is the right time to consider the option to change its structure to turn in 2020, a third sector of public interest companies "or trust. BW believe that such a change would: encourage participation much higher in the channels through volunteers and others, to improve transparency and accountability to communities and navigation users, create opportunities new sources of revenue such as grants and donations and ensure the historical network is held in trust for the nation.
BW directors soliciting views of the customers nationwide tour this summer
BW marketing director Simon Salem and chief operating officer, Vince Moran, will host a series of forums customers to comply with boaters, fishermen, hikers and other users of channels involved. The series of regional meetings are an opportunity for NPs to provide a brief update on the financing and management that affect the way before answering questions and gather customer feedback and views on priorities waterway.
The 14 regional forums held between May and September and follow similar sessions held during the year 2008. The first meeting is scheduled to take place in Crick Boat Show on Sunday 24 May.
BW to maintain the property along the canal
Following Government consideration of the property as part of BW edge Program of operational effectiveness, BW welcomes the decision that should retain its property along the canal only publicly owned. BW CEO, Robin Evans said: "This is the right decision. Recognizes the importance of the strength of the BW property for long-term sustainability of the network of waterways, and the value public that we have unlocked the farm.
"In the property along the canal last decade has seen the largest source of commercial financing for our historic canals, rivers and dams, has fueled its recent renaissance, reinforced its importance in modern Britain, and helped breathe new derelict waterside life. This decision underlines the Government's commitment to long-term future of the waterways. "
The next step is for BW to work with governments on the practical aspects of setting up a wholly owned subsidiary BW to develop more property management.
The show is full of fun for children, teens and adults alike, both in and out of the water! Activities include face painting, a traditional amusement park, over 200 stalls, workshops, African dance and percussion, storytelling, a bouncy castle, canoeing, colorful characters and juggling workshops. If your children love animals and poultry then the thumbnail is a great area to see and touch them to your favorite poultry, while visitors from more exotic animals to the festival this year include skunks, snakes, scorpions and even meerkats!
The ticket also includes a free boat ride in one of the most beautiful canals in the country – who knows may even end up buying a boat bargain.
When the batteries need recharging is a delicious selection of traditional food quality fish and tasty Thai Travel to remember … a selection of 40 different beers to wash everything down. They also bring one days field and observe the narrow boats drift by as you listen to an incredible array of toe-tapping songs, blues, jazz and soul!
Where else to you all in May Bank Holiday?
For more information on Crick Boat Show and Festival Way www.crickboatshow.co.uk visit or call 0871 700 0685
Volunteers work wonders on waterways
What does a photocopier, a propeller plane and a fridge full of food have in common?
They are all items in the trash removed by the army of volunteers who participated in the most successful event Fix BW towpath ever. More 1,700 volunteers joined 635 members of staff in cleaning BW of 149 tons of garbage.
The event was supported by Encams, the Association of waterways interiors and many other local support groups and support of Bill Bryson – The president of the Campaign to Protect Rural England.
Many thousands of articles residues were removed by volunteers towpaths and boating. They ranged from the mundane to the downright strange, and just as cold as has been said full of (date) foods, an ice ax and 192 shopping carts!
BW national volunteer manager, Edward Moss, said: "I mean a huge Thanks to everyone who participated this year towpath Tidy. The volunteers who have not only made a valuable contribution to their local community also BW helped to support wildlife and make the waterways more attractive to visitors. "
Read more about volunteers who work wonders in the way waterways
The fight against fly-tipping bin BW customer sites
BW is taking steps to address the current problem of littering in the customer's premises. As part of its provision of customer service, now offers boaters BW with waste collection sites for waste bags national, a service similar to residential home collection. However, there seems to be some confusion about what can and can not be left at these sites and in some cases, properly (including large household appliances) leaving the sailors to encourage others in the community to also use as installation sites general waste.
BW is not able to eliminate waste through local authority services and waste disposal in place is bound to pay business rates for the disposal of the fly on the tip of waste – money that would otherwise be spent on maintenance and conservation of waterways.
To help combat the problem, a series of information panels will be installed at the customer's premises, stating clearly what can and can not be deposited and users alert to the fact that it is a criminal offense to fly tip. The posters also show the location of the nearest recycling facilities.
BW consultant environmental, Hannah Graves said: "Fly-tipping is a real problem in some waste disposal sites BW and we are urging boaters to dispose of their waste bulky or hazardous waste through their local authority disposal service. Local authorities provide excellent recycling and waste facilities and most come to pick up larger items directly from their residents that cars have a small charge.
"If everyone took charge of their own waste, body weight may redirect funds away valuable to clarify illegal fly-tipped waste and to projects of real value to customers. "
Online Presentations corrector boat
BW has received more than 110 unlicensed boats sightings by members of the public are connected to late April. Of these reports 25% compared with vessels and licensed back to 55% more and were in our implementation process, 8% as a result of new cases opened for action, and the remaining 12% were the boats that were not identifiable through a valid index number of boat but the details have moved into our application equipment for further investigation.
2009-10 Winter strikes
Yes, it seems early to start talking about this but the views of the boats and the discussion in a recent national meeting of user groups, body weight has been decided by a couple of changes in the way it communicates Winter unemployment information. Now that Internet access is so widespread, the plan is that the details of the program will remain exclusively in waterscape.com / stoppages. This means that the risk of cruising sailors making plans based on outdated information is very limited. Anyone wishing a hard copy can still be obtained by contacting with customer service that will print the latest information on the day the application is received.
Update on BW mooring vacancies – change to open auction system
Following the public consultations last year, BW announced that it will replace the tendering system is open ended auctions of vacant berths BW time period. The work is well underway and BW web developer expects the new system will be ready for testing in June. BW would like to have with a few volunteers to help complete a series of missions, specific test to be emailed in mid-June. If you are interested, Please keep an eye on the main page BW mooring vacancies in www.bwmooringvacancies.co.uk for more information, or email @ siobhan.daglish britishwaterways.co.uk.
You're in good company
The number of visitors is rising channels. The figures are measured to record the number visitors in a period of two typical week, that during 2008, rose over 6% 3.2-3.4 million persons. The waterways are users also visit more often with the number of individual visits up 7% from 245.3 million in 2007 to 262,6 million in 2008.
BW director Marketing, Simon Salazar said: "Increased participation in community projects such as the Tidy towpath and innovative marketing initiatives such as his campaign to Enjoy, help to encourage people to use waterways as part of their daily lives, whether to go boating, travel, socialize, fish, the exercise, spot wildlife or simply take time. These latest figures are especially important when you consider that the number of visits waterways as a whole is in decline.
"The waterways are a valuable local resource for communities across the country for the use and enjoy throughout the year – making them a popular destination in these difficult economic times. The continuous increase in the number of visitors clearly demonstrates how canals and rivers remain relevant to modern communities, local. More people enjoying the waterways helps to demonstrate to central government and local need for this country channels and rivers to receive adequate funding for current and future generations to enjoy. "
