THE National Bargee Travellers Association is objecting to what it sees as draconian new mooring rule limitations by Canal & River Trust (CaRT) that severely restrict mooring times.
The Association, that represents continuous cruisers, is objecting to the new rules that are part of a proposal by CaRT to restrict mooring times at three major locations on the southern Grand Union Canal.

Three locations

These are at Berkhamsted, Braunston and Marsworth. A fourth location at Batchworth has since been abandoned due to an admitted error in CaRT's information collection.

Nick Brown, Secretary of the Association explains:

"These proposals will limit the stay time on previously 14 day moorings to seven days or 48 hours. CaRT are doing/have done a public consultation which does not allow users to give constructive feedback.

"In one area, a partner in the consultation process has taken the proposal as set in stone before the consultation time frame is over and have made derogatory comments toward Bargee Travellers wanting to stay in their town.

"Reducing these time limits, as seen in prior changes in other areas, has had a detrimental effect on the local community, canal side business, canal traders and boaters with or without a home mooring.

"The proposals will further concentrate boaters to ever decreasing areas therefore causing more issues for CaRT enforcement and those boaters who wish to stay in these areas for 14 days. This will allow CaRT to restrict more licences and evict more boaters from the waters.

"These proposals will have a detrimental effect on the boater community in respect of access to medical care, schooling, employment and town services. The National Bargee Travellers Association is opposed to any reduction in mooring time limits of less than 14 days."

The CaRT consultation is available HERE

There is also a petition seeking that CaRT stops these reductions HERE