All-electric community boat gets the go ahead

FOLLOWING relaxation of the government’s coronavirus restrictions and successful ‘sea trials’, Electra is now open for business.

This is the all-electric boat operated by the Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust with several public trip and private charter options, cruising along the Grand Union Canal in Milton Keynes. Photograph by Gill Prince.

The cruises

These include family cruises in the school holidays, 'Cream Tea Cruises' on Wednesday and Sunday afternoons, Friday afternoon ‘Relax on the Art Trail’ Cruises, plus a Friday night 'Fish & Bubbles Cruise'. Two-hour morning or afternoon Private Charters are available on Thursdays and Saturdays, with Lead Cabin Host, James Clifton explaining:

“Now that our crews are fully trained and qualified, we are excited by the prospect of launching our first public cruises in early August.

“Electra is well-ventilated and designed for up to 12 guests on board, but we accept government advice to ‘proceed with caution’ with regard to covid-19 and will start by taking a maximum of eight guests per cruise” .

Brand new

Electra is a brand-new fully electric, 54ft narrowboat, crewed by trained volunteers from the Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust. It is accessible, with a lift and lavatory that can accommodate a standard size wheelchair.

Cruises depart from Campbell Wharf and last between one and two hours during August. Full details, including booking instructions, can be found here.