BW now supports independent moorings (??!!??)
In the wake of BW’s determination to evict Ridgeways’ offline moorings and boatyard, the following, “hot off the press” announcement comes as a puzzling, if pleasing surprise: http://www.britishwaterways.co.uk/newsroom/stories/marina_opportunities_guide.html“In April this year British Waterways announced a scheme to promote business opportunites for new marina developments to help meet future demand and support the growth in popularity of boating on Britain's waterways. Inland waterway boating is currently experiencing significant growth with the potential to bring enjoyment to thousands more. To make this expansion sustainable there is a need to develop enough moorings capacity to meet the demands of both current and future boaters. With an estimated 700 newly-built boats requiring long-term moorings each year, neither British Waterways nor private operators are developing new marina sites quickly enough.” …….“The number of boats on our network has grown at an average annual rate of 2.3% over the past 5 years, but this will not be sustainable into the future if new marinas are not created." ……….“As Sally Ash explains: "The Marina Opportunities Guide will address the obstacles that are currently deterring the growth in new marina developments that are needed to meet demand on our waterways.” ……..I’ll be fascinated to see whether these Opportunities Guides will address the problem of how to counter BW’s support for developers who wish to remove existing marinas! I could do with some tips.
Nigel Moore ● 7199d0 Comments