I have a historic ex working barge. When I bought it to restore I did so on the understanding it would cost more to maintain than a new boat. I still bought it as I wanted to retain some of the history of the canals. Now I am being penalised, despite using no more facilities than any other boat on the system. I use the northern rivers and canals that this boat was designed for. If the issue stems from wide boats being used on canals that they are not meant for, then C&RT needs to step up and restrict these boats from those canals, rather than penalising the many that don't.
P
Pete Dallow
8 years ago
Unfair to consult narrow boat owners.
P
Paul Hayes
8 years ago
1) Less than half the navigable miles, 2) Use the same amount of water as a narrow boat going though a wide lock singularly, which happens more often than not.
3) Narrowboat owners not affected, only views of wide boat owners should be listened to.
M
Michael Bonin
8 years ago
I would only expect any increase in fees exclusively levied on widebeam owners to be implemented only AFTER proposals to widen the long awaited North - South canal link have been completed.
G
G Waterworth
8 years ago
Since us widebeam boaters can only access part of the canal system I think it's unfair to charge extra. If anything it should be a smaller fee.
A
Anonymous
8 years ago
The recent 'consultation' was supposed to result in a fairer licensing system. In fact, it achieved just the opposite. Craft that have restricted access to the system, ie those longer than 60' as well as those wider than 7' pay more. How is that fair?
A
Anonymous
8 years ago
We voted with our bottom; have taken our barge abroad which means CRT have lost 100% of the annual income ie over £1,200pa so no increase in income to the trust and not revenue neutral. Suggest you think laterally!
R
Rose
8 years ago
Any increase in license fees other than by the rate of inflation is unfair and not needed.
I
Ian Hollands
8 years ago
My wide beam boat can only access a very limited part of the canal network. Under this proposal i'm expected to pay more for less!
T
Tom Grimes
8 years ago
The CRT should be encouraging the restoration and use of ex working barges, not putting more obstacles in their way.
They have the ability, for instance, to offer discounts for these historic craft.
P
Peter Szczesiak
8 years ago
A far better idea would have been doing what DVLA have been doing for years all new wide boats pay a the new license fee old boats pay the old length based system, it could have been implemented instantly and would have been totally fair. It would seem that you are out touch with boaters completely which is a shame as you are supposed to be running our canals for us, I will repeat this they are our canals and you have only one job and that is to look after them for us! So whilst I know that you can alter licenses however you want you should listen to the very unhappy widebeam owners that are going to be penalised by this very unfair decision
I
Iain Street
8 years ago
A divisive decision, following a flawed consultation, which appeared to be biased against wide beam boats, who are in a minority as compared o narrow beam owners. How about a rebate for historic wide beam barges (for which many CaRT waterways were built); sufficient to make this review truly revenue neutral?
C
cathy lee
8 years ago
Not fair, that owners of barges that can only use half the canal system end up paying more money just because they have a wider barge
F
Frank Ward
8 years ago
Unfair discrimination of wide beam, who are limited where they can cruise.
K
Kris nadin
8 years ago
The effect this is going to have on historic wideboats is disgusting. The way this consultation was held was very dubious.
J
John Vissenga
8 years ago
It was claimed by Canal and River Trust before the "consultation" that this would be a financially neutral move. In fact it is a massive hike for widebeam owners and a smaller hike for narrowbeam owners (removal of prompt payment discount.)
In the areas of the canal system that was designed for wide beam boats there are many widebeam ex working vessels and also many widebeam coastal vessels using (a very under used section of the canal system) this unfairly hits the owners of these vessels and therefore the marinas and boat orientated businesses in an area where "wide boats" are in fact the majority,
The whole of the "consultation" seems to have been biased against widebeam owners.
In the North there have been complaints by widebeam owners being refused tickets on the grounds that the meeting was over subscribed and then finding out later that it was half empty and the majority represented were narrow beam owners.
It gives the impression that the consultation was biased to provide the answers that Canal and River Trust wanted.
The whole thing seems to have been arranged to solve Southern problems by a draconian action that in fact hits hardest in areas away from it.
The whole thing smacks of the many being penalised for the few.
If there are local problems with widebeam vessels in unsuitable areas then use a local solution
R
Roger day
8 years ago
Divisive and unwarranted action.
If licence fees need increasing, it should be spread equitably.
Rog Day
T
T Green
8 years ago
Seems a tad unfair to have to pay more when we are limited as to where we can go with a widebeam. I already pay for a home mooring which is not cheap. When there has been a Boat moored opposite me on the towpath for 10 weeks now for free and crt have done nothing about it.
L
Louise Bulless
8 years ago
Can’t use all of the network
Insufficient moorings
Poor state of canals hinders mobility
Number of boats that are unlicensed should be made to pay rather than increasing charges to wide beam boaters
L
LYNDA dawson
8 years ago
why should wide beams pay more when they are restricted on movement of canals and also use less water in locks ???
I have a historic ex working barge. When I bought it to restore I did so on the understanding it would cost more to maintain than a new boat. I still bought it as I wanted to retain some of the history of the canals. Now I am being penalised, despite using no more facilities than any other boat on the system. I use the northern rivers and canals that this boat was designed for. If the issue stems from wide boats being used on canals that they are not meant for, then C&RT needs to step up and restrict these boats from those canals, rather than penalising the many that don't.
Unfair to consult narrow boat owners.
1) Less than half the navigable miles, 2) Use the same amount of water as a narrow boat going though a wide lock singularly, which happens more often than not. 3) Narrowboat owners not affected, only views of wide boat owners should be listened to.
I would only expect any increase in fees exclusively levied on widebeam owners to be implemented only AFTER proposals to widen the long awaited North - South canal link have been completed.
Since us widebeam boaters can only access part of the canal system I think it's unfair to charge extra. If anything it should be a smaller fee.
The recent 'consultation' was supposed to result in a fairer licensing system. In fact, it achieved just the opposite. Craft that have restricted access to the system, ie those longer than 60' as well as those wider than 7' pay more. How is that fair?
We voted with our bottom; have taken our barge abroad which means CRT have lost 100% of the annual income ie over £1,200pa so no increase in income to the trust and not revenue neutral. Suggest you think laterally!
Any increase in license fees other than by the rate of inflation is unfair and not needed.
My wide beam boat can only access a very limited part of the canal network. Under this proposal i'm expected to pay more for less!
The CRT should be encouraging the restoration and use of ex working barges, not putting more obstacles in their way. They have the ability, for instance, to offer discounts for these historic craft.
A far better idea would have been doing what DVLA have been doing for years all new wide boats pay a the new license fee old boats pay the old length based system, it could have been implemented instantly and would have been totally fair. It would seem that you are out touch with boaters completely which is a shame as you are supposed to be running our canals for us, I will repeat this they are our canals and you have only one job and that is to look after them for us! So whilst I know that you can alter licenses however you want you should listen to the very unhappy widebeam owners that are going to be penalised by this very unfair decision
A divisive decision, following a flawed consultation, which appeared to be biased against wide beam boats, who are in a minority as compared o narrow beam owners. How about a rebate for historic wide beam barges (for which many CaRT waterways were built); sufficient to make this review truly revenue neutral?
Not fair, that owners of barges that can only use half the canal system end up paying more money just because they have a wider barge
Unfair discrimination of wide beam, who are limited where they can cruise.
The effect this is going to have on historic wideboats is disgusting. The way this consultation was held was very dubious.
It was claimed by Canal and River Trust before the "consultation" that this would be a financially neutral move. In fact it is a massive hike for widebeam owners and a smaller hike for narrowbeam owners (removal of prompt payment discount.) In the areas of the canal system that was designed for wide beam boats there are many widebeam ex working vessels and also many widebeam coastal vessels using (a very under used section of the canal system) this unfairly hits the owners of these vessels and therefore the marinas and boat orientated businesses in an area where "wide boats" are in fact the majority, The whole of the "consultation" seems to have been biased against widebeam owners. In the North there have been complaints by widebeam owners being refused tickets on the grounds that the meeting was over subscribed and then finding out later that it was half empty and the majority represented were narrow beam owners. It gives the impression that the consultation was biased to provide the answers that Canal and River Trust wanted. The whole thing seems to have been arranged to solve Southern problems by a draconian action that in fact hits hardest in areas away from it. The whole thing smacks of the many being penalised for the few. If there are local problems with widebeam vessels in unsuitable areas then use a local solution
Divisive and unwarranted action. If licence fees need increasing, it should be spread equitably. Rog Day
Seems a tad unfair to have to pay more when we are limited as to where we can go with a widebeam. I already pay for a home mooring which is not cheap. When there has been a Boat moored opposite me on the towpath for 10 weeks now for free and crt have done nothing about it.
Can’t use all of the network Insufficient moorings Poor state of canals hinders mobility Number of boats that are unlicensed should be made to pay rather than increasing charges to wide beam boaters
why should wide beams pay more when they are restricted on movement of canals and also use less water in locks ???