On 14th February 2017 the Waterways Ombudsman stated in a case report (Case no 933) that Canal & River Trust (CRT) intended in the coming weeks to publish “illustrative cruising patterns” for boaters with school age children. In the Navigation Advisory Group meeting of 13th February 2017, former Head of Boating Mike Grimes stated: “We’re […]
All members invited to NBTA Committee meeting, 27th August, Nuneaton CV11 4BX
All NBTA members are invited to the next NBTA Committee meeting which will be on Sunday 27th August 2017, 2pm to 5pm in the upstairs function room at the Crown, 10 Bond St, Nuneaton, Warwickshire, CV11 4BX. It is outside the railway station and about three quarters of a mile from the Coventry Canal.
CRT boat licence consultation “shambolic and misleading”
The National Bargee Travellers Association (NBTA) has made a formal complaint about the conduct of CRT’s boat licensing review. NBTA Chair Pamela Smith condemned the consultation after speaking to boaters who attended the workshops that formed the second stage of the consultation.
CRT plans to get rid of 40% of litter bins
In a recent meeting between Canal & River Trust (CRT) and the National Bargee Travellers Association (NBTA) London branch, CRT stated that they have a national plan to remove 40% of litter bins from the towpaths in order to reduce litter. They plan to keep them in storage and only reinstate them if litter continues […]
Government consultation on red diesel, ends 30th June
The Government has been running a consultation on the use of red diesel, which opened in March 2017 and closes on 30th June 2017. The consultation document gives a list of uses of red diesel which includes ships and private pleasure craft, but makes no mention of boat dwellers. The NBTA believes it is important that […]
An Open Letter to General Election Candidates
Dear General Election Candidates, If you are elected on June 8th, please would you commit to improving the way boat dwellers without permanent moorings are treated? It is vitally important that boat dwellers without permanent moorings who abide by the law should not lose their homes.
NBTA statement on CRT Review of Boat Licensing
The National Bargee Travellers Association (NBTA) has a number of concerns about the Canal & River Trust (CRT) review of boat licensing. The NBTA is opposed to any increases in the cost of boat licences except for annual increases in line with inflation. Any price increase will make it harder for poorer boat dwellers to […]
All members invited to NBTA Organising/ Committee meeting, May 21st, Rickmansworth
The next Committee meeting of the NBTA is on Sunday 21st May 2017 in Rickmansworth at 2pm to 4.15pm. There will also be an open organising meeting immediately following at 4.30pm to 6.30pm. All members are invited to both meetings.
To vote in the 2017 General Election, register by 22nd May
Bargee Travellers who want to vote in the General Election on 8th June 2017 can register to vote by declaring a local connection. You need to register by 22nd May.Anybody who does not have a fixed or a residential address can register this way. However you cannot register to vote online if you are declaring […]
Boats Are Homes march: boat dwellers refuse to be thrown off the waterways
On Saturday 8th April 2017 around 200 boat dwellers marched in defence of their homes. The national Boats Are Homes demonstration was organised in protest against Canal & River Trust’s (CRT) policy of evicting or threatening to evict travelling boat dwellers if they do not comply with unlawful travel requirements. Boat dwellers from all over […]