The statutory Public Consultation on the Grand Union Canal Transfer scheme (GUCT) has started. It ends at 11:59pm on Thursday 2nd April 2026. The NBTA encourages all itinerant liveaboard boaters, especially those who travel on the Coventry, North Oxford and Grand Union canals to respond.
Camden Smoke Control Area: funding may be available for boaters to upgrade their stove
The whole of Camden is now a Smoke Control Area. If you moor in Camden permanently or temporarily and believe that your current heating system would make it difficult to comply with the Smoke Control Area rules, there may be a 70% grant available to upgrade your boat’s heating. Camden Council said on 24th February […]
National Planning Policy Framework consultation, deadline 10th March 2026, please respond!
A consultation is under way about revising the the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and other changes to the planning system. It is run by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). It would be very helpful if NBTA members would respond.
Do you live on a boat with children? Please complete our survey about education
Do you live on a boat with children? Have you had any problems getting your kids into school or supporting their learning at home? The NBTA would love to hear your thoughts, feedback, experiences or suggestions for future consultations with the Department of Education on behalf of Boat Families.
NBTA publishes full response to CRT’s Future of Licensing Report
The NBTA has published its full response to the Future of Licensing Report by the Canal & River Trust (CRT) Commission on Boat Licensing. CRT announced on 16th December 2024 that a Commission would review the future of boat licensing, and published the Commission’s membership and Terms of Reference (ToR), to which the NBTA published […]
NBTA responds to Wera Hobhouse MP’s proposal that giving CRT more powers to control boat licences will stop littering on the canals
No doubt litter is a major issue in the UK. But what would you say if because someone started flytipping on your country lane, your entire village was forced to start wearing tracking devices, while bailiffs threatened to take your home because you’d failed to pay a fine? Under the guise of “cleaning up the […]
NBTA to run online Volunteer Caseworker training course in March 2026
The National Bargee Travellers Association (NBTA) will be holding an online training course for Volunteer Caseworkers to join our dedicated team. There will be 4 x 2 hour online training sessions, held online on Wednesdays 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th March 2026 from 7pm to 9pm.
RBOA to hold open public meeting to discuss CRT Licence Review Commission report, 31st January
The Residential Boat Owners Association (RBOA) is holding an open meeting to discuss the findings of CRT’s Licence Review Commission, which submitted its report in November 2025. All boaters, stakeholders and interested parties are welcome. Penny Barber, one of the Commissioners, will be present. You can attend in person or online.
Absolutely terrible breach at Whitchurch
It is absolutely terrible to see the breach at Whitchurch on the Llangollen Canal. The sight of boats sitting at the bottom of a canal is especially stomach-wrenching. We can all empathise and imagine how horrible it must be for the boaters affected by this.
NBTA statement on CRT’s Future of Boat Licensing Commission report
Canal & River Trust’s (CRT) Future of Boat Licensing Commission report has been published, and has immediately met with condemnation from boaters. Proposals in the report include forcing boats to fit GPS trackers to enforce compliance, even more bureaucratic rules for boat owners, and the granting of greater enforcement powers to CRT including making it […]