Environment Agency consultation on national navigation boat charges

THE Environment Agency is encouraging the public to respond to the ongoing 12 weeks consultation on national navigation boat charges.

The consultation, launched on 24th May 2024, proposes to increase the national navigation boat charging scheme by 9% from January 2025 for the Thames and from 1st April 2025 for the Medway Navigation and Anglian Waterways.

Extended by one week

The consultation period has been extended by one week for respondents to comment on the Environment Agency’s proposals to update its national navigation boat charges. The proposals will support the Environment Agency, as navigation authority, to continue to manage and maintain their navigable waterways effectively for people, wildlife and the environment, it states, adding:

The proposal to increase charges by 9% will address the increased cost of the service due to the level of inflation during the last three years, and reflects approaches taken by other navigation authorities.

The second largest navigation authority in the UK, the Environment Agency is responsible for managing 1,010km of inland waterways, plus Rye and Lydney harbours, and registers approximately 26,000 boats annually, 96% of which are privately owned and 4% non-private. It is the Environment Agency’s job to keep these waterways open and safe for a variety of uses, including boating.

Income gained through charges contributes towards maintaining and operating their assets, including locks and weirs, and facilities such as moorings and towpaths. It also covers providing a lock keeping service, managing water levels and keeping the main navigation channel clear, as well as compliance activity and communication and engagement with customers.

Andrew Pearce, Deputy Director of Asset Management Systems at the Environment Agency, explained:

Keep waterways open and safe

“It’s the Environment Agency’s job to keep our waterways open and safe for users to enjoy. We charge owners to register their boats with us so the people who benefit from our navigation services contribute towards the significant costs of operating and maintaining our waterways.

“Inflation means our costs have increased in recent years so boat registration charges should continue to contribute a reasonable proportion towards the cost of the services we provide.

“We are committed to fairness and transparency with every change we introduce, so it’s important those affected have the opportunity to respond to our consultation.”

Charges depend on the boat size and whether it has an engine. At the lowest end, customers with unpowered boats will see a £4.37 increase, taking their annual charge to £52.97 (which compares with Canal & River Trust’s charge of £66). The largest increases for the largest powered boats will be £302 for the Thames, £238 for Anglian Waterways and £95 to the Medway Navigation.

The consultation closes on 16th August 2024. It can be accessed directly online.