Minutes from the London User Group Meeting

The Pirate Castle, Camden Town.
Thursday 31st March 2011
1900 – 2100

Agenda

1. Welcome and introductions – Jon Guest
2. Review of previous notes – Jon Guest
3. Slough Arm Presentation
4. General Q and A session
5. Engineering / stoppages – Phil Adshead
6. Maintenance – Sam Thomas
7. Lee Mooring Consultancy Update

Attendees


Jon Guest - Waterways Manager for London British Waterways
Philip Adshead – Principal Waterway Engineer British Waterways
Sam Thomas – Maintenance Manager British Waterways
Sally Ash – Head of Boating Business British Waterways
Sarah Emmings – Waterway Administrator British Waterways
Debbi Figuerido – Enforcement West British Waterways
Nicholas Wattam – Enforcement East British Waterways
Roger Squires I.W.A. London
Chris Lloyd Friends of Slough Canal
Leonie Mann London Boaters
D. Hutchings London Boaters
Alan Wildman Residential Boat Owners Association
Michael Clark New Stort Boat Club
Roy Walker Walkers Quay
Neil Baker Upper Lee & Stort Boaters Assos.
John Smith Stort Boat Club
Helen Smith Stort Boat Club
Sue Barrett BW Customer
Robbie Barrett BW Customer
Bob Langley Lee & Stort Cruising Club
Edi Callen Upper Lee & Stort Boaters Assos
Mike Timms Friends of Slough Canal
John Shacklock I.W.A. Lee & Stort
Ian Shacklock Friends of Regents Canal
Fiona Maclean London Narrowboat Assoc.
Sue Brighton Friends of Slough Canal
Stuart Bridger Friends of Slough Canal
Adrian Stott 0
Keith Clayton IWA Middlesex
Francesca Hyde L.B.
J. Delaney B.W. Customer
Sandra Green H.N.B.O.C.
Marek Wasniewski Floating House
Robin Bishop I.W.A. Middlesex

Apologies

Grahem Butler
Paul Ayres
The British Marine Federation

It was noted that the meeting was being recorded by a member of the public attending the meeting.

Advance Questions and Answers

Question; Bob Langley

On Nov 24th 2010 you advised that the Bishop's Stortford facilities are out of action.
1. Will they be in action for the new cruising season if not already?
2. Is the facility fully working for users at the Moorhen R Stort? If not very inconvenient.
3. When, again if not already, will facilities be restored outside the old Hazlemere Marine?


B.W.Response;

We can confirm that all 3 of these facilities are now back open and accessible to all boaters.

Amendment to minutes;

Enforcement;

The photo of over staying boats was provided by Sue Barrett and not Helen Smith as stated, also, the sale of diesel, gas and ice cream is from the Roydon Lock Cottage not from a boat, my apologies to all parties.

Meeting commenced 1900 hours

Jon Guest welcomed everyone, the British Waterways staff introduced themselves and the minutes of the last meeting were approved.

Slough Arm Presentation


Sue Brighton from the Friends of Slough Canal presented their 5 year plan for the regeneration of the Slough Arm, please see appendix i. Jon Guest thanked Sue and congratulated her and the group on the standard of the presentation and their goals

Q. there is an on-going major project to create a navigable link to the Thames, why was this not mentioned in the 5 year plan?
A. the group are aware of these plans but they extend further than the initial 5 years so were not included.

Q. should this not be a priority, along with the dredging of the arm back to its original profile of 9 metres width?
A. again, these items are not being ignored and are in discussion.

Q. will visitor moorings be made available?
A. local options are being looked at with consideration being given to security and the availability of grassed edgings to allow for pins in conjunction with the extensive plans for the tow path.

Jon guest confirmed that it is always BWs aim to provide facilities for mooring whether it is rings or grass and that there is an outline plan with regards to the terminus on the arm.
It was noted that the Slough/Thames link has been in discussion for around 40 years and is now included in the Slough Core Strategy. With regards to the use of volunteers, the Volunteer Co- Ordinator, Rebecca Williams, has been in touch and although the scope of their input would be limited.

Q. BW seems to concentrate on heavy use waterways and that maybe they should consider some ‘show case’ works such as the Slough Arm.
A. Sam Thomas responded and explained that there is a standard national level for works and changes in the working procedures re the day to day maintenance; however craft have been planned to assist on the Arm.

General Q & A session

Q. Bob Langley (Lee & Stort Cruising Club) asked that bearing in mind the planned security zone for July and august 2012 due to the Olympics is it reasonable for BW to be charging the full license fee?
A. Jon Guest confirmed that it is not BW policy to recompense license fees. Sally Ash also emphasized that there are still many variable factors to be considered for the summer of 2012.

Q. Adrian Stott asked if there were any plans for accompanied conveys during the Olympic period?
A. Jon Guest confirmed that this was being considered.

Q. Bob Langley asked whether there was any truth in the rumour that the restriction may start in November 2011.
A. Jon Guest confirmed that BW are not aware of such plans, however any changes in the security alert levels would have an impact on our decisions. Robbie Barrett stated that this information had been included in a recent IWA meeting, after lengthy discussion, taking into account the other bodies involved, the ODA, stakeholders, Tower Hamlets etc., it was concluded that the supposition of a November start to the restrictions had come from the planning request for the barriers having been submitted for completion by November of this year not for the implementation of their use.

Q. Robbie Barrett asked whether any compensation would be made available to owners of craft who have their boats booked in for painting / maintenance works during the restricted period?
A. Again, it is not BW policy.

Post meeting note; the Olympic 2012 website is now live and details of proposed restrictions and plans can be found at http://www.waterscape.com/in-your-area/london/olympic-moorings

Q. John Shacklock (IWA) asked whether anyone from BW had visited the recently opened marina and were aware of the H & S standards.
A. Jon Guest advised that this is a privately run marina and not under BW control.

Q. Adrian Stott asked why there does not appear to be a national policy regarding safety rails on lock gates?
A. Jon Guest stated that considering in many circumstances a safer alternative route was within reasonable proximity a national policy would unnecessarily eat into already limited funds.

Q. Michael Clark raised the issue of access problems at the moorings in Rickmansworth with the planning permission that is being sought by a local householder.
A. Rickmansworth falls under the South East region so therefore this issue needs to be redirected. Jon Guest assured that the query would be forwarded to the South East.

Post meeting note; Enquiries south east have been emailed with Mr Clarks details and have responded.

Q. Sue Barrett asked whether there had been any news regarding the new clinical waste site.
A. Jon Guest confirmed that as yet no further information had been made available.

Engineering Report

Please see appendix 1 Engineering for the report given at the meeting.

Q. It was asked as to whether it was feasible to use the by-products of dredging in the repair of towpaths and concern was shown regarding improvements to the flood plains, if it breaches who pays?
Also, the completion of the work to the lock landings on the River Stort has been delayed.
A. Phil Adshead explained that to use the by-products of dredging for tow path repairs would extend the time needed to complete the repair and was therefore not practical, a specialised gravel / sand mix is employed. With regards to the delay on the lock landings this was due to a manufacturing problem.
Jon Guest explained that although many of our major projects are funded externally the ensuing maintenance is solely the responsibility of BW.

Q. Concern was shown re the vehicular access to Harbet Road.
A. Temporary blocks to be used to solve the problem until a more permanent solution can be found.

Q. Is there any further information available re the possible problem with the entrance lock to West India Dock?
A. Not as yet, with it being a listed structure there are many more factors to be considered.

Q. Sue Barrett asked whether there were any plans in place for Trenches Bridge.
A. Phil Adshead replied that Trenches Bridge was not deteriorating as quickly as thought but is being monitored with the view to encompassing additional works when the time comes to be more cost effective.

Q. Bob Langley asked what plans were in place for the mechanical locks on the River Lee.
A. Phil Adshead replied that hand pumps would be used whilst the M & E equipment is replaced, this is due to start by the end of April and be completed by the end of the year.

Q. Adrian Stott asked whether the new pumps will be better than the old.
A. Phil Adshead confirmed that they are expected to be approximately 50% more efficient.

Q. Concern was shown over how we control third party works that affect the canal and towpaths, and whether a bond was posted.
A. Phil Adshead explained that we have our own Third Party Engineers responsible for monitoring and ensuring all such works follow our agreed codes of working practise which can be tailored to individual requirements, if we discover during checks or are made aware of any activities that are appear to be detrimental to the canal or the environment we will immediately investigate to ensure our requirements are being met. There is no bond as such but there is a legal agreement.

Post Meeting Note; please follow the link shown for further information, http://www.britishwaterways.co.uk/our-work/maintenance-and-improvement/working-safely

Q. What action is planned for the cracked willows now self-rooting in the navigation.
A. Phil Adshead requested that full details be sent to him for further action.

Q. Concern was raised over cracks to Cow Bridge.
A. Phil Adshead confirmed that this is not ours but we understand that modifications are due to take place.

Q. Contractors having completed works on a bridge on the River Stort have left metal gates cable tied in place to restrict access.
A. Phil Adshead confirmed that these were meant to be there to continue the required restriction.

Maintenance

Sam Thomas explained some extensive changes that have been made in the previous months.

Limehouse lock will be operated by BWML on behalf of British waterways but with no changes to the procedures for use by customers, this is part of the national drive to improve efficiency. BW’s approach to maintenance has also been changed to a ‘planned preventative maintenance’ procedure the aim of which is to streamline our working methods and therefore be more cost effective.

We are aware of some locks that require attention, Old Ford and Sturts, where some gates are not set properly which are planned to be rectified within the next few weeks with more extensive works planned for the winter of 2011 / 12.

The use of volunteers and adoption schemes are now in place, Barclaycard and BT have already ‘adopted’ stretches of London’s Waterways and it was confirmed this does not allow any corporate advertising to be used as it would not be in line with our environmental policies. We are also including the Probation Service in our Volunteer Scheme which is proving to be very successful. These actions have all been put into place to ease the effects of the cut in funding from DEFRA from £12.2 million to £9.8 million although some planned works have now been phased at 4 years rather than 3 as a result of the cuts.

There was then a discussion re the change of status to a charity and the merger with the EA, although this will not be happening now until 2015 / 16 as it has been deemed too risky to implement earlier.

The relevant consultation papers are available on the BW and DEFRA websites and Sally Ash and Jon Guest urged all BW customers to be pro-active and ensure their voices were heard and to use the consultation period effectively.

Q. It was asked how this would affect current staffing structure of BW and whether current Board members and Directors would need to re-apply.
A. Jon Guest stated that Directors numbers and roles may change but no change was envisaged for London Waterway Staff, Sally Ash confirmed that existing staff members would transfer under toupe. However, other cost savings are being looked at, including staff reduction and the use of outside contractors.

Q. Would there be any opportunity for the Customer Service points to be opened on a Saturday?
A. No, this service would not be made available. London already provides the most comprehensive front of house service and we already have agents who are open at weekends for the purchase of service cards.

Post Meeting Note; please see appendix 2 for information on Advisory Panel

Lee Mooring Consultancy Update

It was re-iterated that this is still in a consultancy stage and some discussion took place regarding the term ‘constant cruiser’ in reference to the boats within London, it was noted that it is very easy to ‘tar all boaters with the same brush’ which we must not happen. The discussion then reverted back to the plans for the summer of 2012 all of which is now covered in the website.

Please see the previous link for up to date information regarding the effects of the Olympics on cruising London’s Waterways.

It was asked whether this policy would then be rolled out nationally, Sally Ash clarified that although we have a national mooring plan all areas are also assessed locally.

It was explained that the reasoning behind the plans for mooring during this period was to comply with the required security restrictions, make berths available to as many of our customers as possible, reduce the possible chaos of too many boats and also to raise money.

Q. Would provision be made for the local Constant Cruisers?
A. Jon Guest confirmed this would not be the case; all berths will be rented out. However, Sally Ash went on to explain that the needs of Londons ‘constant cruisers’ was not being overlooked and careful consideration was being given to ensure all our customers needs were met to the best of our ability within the remit we have been given.

Any Other Business

Important changes to the licensing were explained; primarily the re-introduction of the pricing policy for short term licenses as used in 2008, making the short term license substantially more expensive than buying long term. However, understanding how this may affect some of our customer base the payment terms on 12 month licenses have been extended to 12 payments and will be available to all customers unless they default. Also, a craft holding an EA license would be eligible for a discount.

Q. Why is the emergency number still an 0800 number which is very expensive for mobile telephone users which most boaters are?
A. There are other numbers that could be used and although this is not being looked at now it could be in the future.

Q. What is being done to improve the enforcement action on craft that abuse lock landings?
A. Nick Wattam confirmed that this is being looked at and it was considered that clearer signage would be the way forward, Nick confirmed that he could check his area over the coming months and report back where areas are unclear. Jon Guest also re-iterated that should craft be seen moored on lock landings that they are reported to BW so action could be taken.

Jon Guest thanked everyone for their attendance and input and the meeting closed at 2105.