Boat Licensing Update

23 September 2008

During 2007 British Waterway undertook an extensive consultation on future boat licence fees. Many boaters and representative groups contributed to this and some good suggestions were made. The result was that BW moderated the 2008 licence fee increase and asked the independent British Waterways Advisory Forum to examine each of the suggestions in closer detail. BWAF comprises representatives of the leading national waterway organisations.

By studying the 2007 public consultation responses, analysing data and debating options, BWAF members gained a good understanding of the challenges involved in determining a 'fair' boat licensing system and presented their report to BW at the end of August 2008.

Some feel BWAF’s proposals to be controversial so BW is now canvassing support from the leading waterway organisations. Most immediate are the proposals to introduce supplementary charges for boats having no home mooring, and wide beamed boats. This would effectively re-distribute the boaters’ burden for contributing to waterway maintenance costs.

The BWAF report is published with BW’s response at www.britishwaterways.co.uk/current-consultations.

Internet news groups are buzzing with discussion and have helpfully pointed out that the distinction between broad and narrow beam should be set at 2.3 rather than 2.1 metres to reflect the sizes of some historic Grand Union boats.

This final phase of consultation will end on 7th November, and BW is asking that, wherever possible, boaters direct their views through their boating user group of choice.