Canal & River Trust Sets Out Plans To Review Boat Licensing.
20 February 2017
The Canal & River Trust is announcing the start of the first phase of its independent consultation about how boats are licensed on its waterways. The current licensing system has remained largely unchanged for more than two decades and is often cited by boat owners as being complex and out of date.
The consultation will be run by Involve, an independent charity specialising in public engagement. It aims to ask boaters the fairest and simplest way to split the important financial contribution made by the different types of boats and boaters towards the upkeep of the waterways.
The first step in a three-stage consultation is just starting.
In stage one, Involve will interview representatives from the main boating organisations to find out their views on how the consultation should work and what it should cover.
During the second stage, which will run from April, Involve will host a series of indepth workshops with boaters across the country. Participants will reflect the diversity in the boating community.
The final stage will be a consultation for all boat owners to give their views on the options developed during the two previous stages.
Ian Rogers, customer service and operations director at Canal & River Trust, said:“ The current licensing system has been in place for over twenty years. Boating has changed a lot in the meantime and the Trust wants to ensure the licensing structure is fit for purpose. Feedback from boaters suggests that many feel the current licensing is overly complex and can be perceived as unfair, and this consultation seeks to discuss these areas of concern.
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