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system has remained largely unchanged for more than two decades and is often cited by boat owners as being complex and out of date .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 .
9