The NBTA has published its full response to the Future of Licensing Report by the Canal & River Trust (CRT) Commission on Boat Licensing. CRT announced on 16th December 2024 that a Commission would review the future of boat licensing, and published the Commission’s membership and Terms of Reference (ToR), to which the NBTA published […]
NBTA responds to Wera Hobhouse MP’s proposal that giving CRT more powers to control boat licences will stop littering on the canals
No doubt litter is a major issue in the UK. But what would you say if because someone started flytipping on your country lane, your entire village was forced to start wearing tracking devices, while bailiffs threatened to take your home because you’d failed to pay a fine? Under the guise of “cleaning up the […]
NBTA to run online Volunteer Caseworker training course in March 2026
The National Bargee Travellers Association (NBTA) will be holding an online training course for Volunteer Caseworkers to join our dedicated team. There will be 4 x 2 hour online training sessions, held online on Wednesdays 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th March 2026 from 7pm to 9pm.
RBOA to hold open public meeting to discuss CRT Licence Review Commission report, 31st January
The Residential Boat Owners Association (RBOA) is holding an open meeting to discuss the findings of CRT’s Licence Review Commission, which submitted its report in November 2025. All boaters, stakeholders and interested parties are welcome. Penny Barber, one of the Commissioners, will be present. You can attend in person or online.
Absolutely terrible breach at Whitchurch
It is absolutely terrible to see the breach at Whitchurch on the Llangollen Canal. The sight of boats sitting at the bottom of a canal is especially stomach-wrenching. We can all empathise and imagine how horrible it must be for the boaters affected by this.
NBTA statement on CRT’s Future of Boat Licensing Commission report
Canal & River Trust’s (CRT) Future of Boat Licensing Commission report has been published, and has immediately met with condemnation from boaters. Proposals in the report include forcing boats to fit GPS trackers to enforce compliance, even more bureaucratic rules for boat owners, and the granting of greater enforcement powers to CRT including making it […]
NBTA slams Licence Review report
On Wednesday 19th November 2025 the three person “independent” Licence Review Commission published its recommendations on the future of boat licensing on Canal and River Trust (CRT) managed waterways. The report was shortly afterwards endorsed by CRT.
‘Fairness’ – for or against Bargee Travellers? CRT’s misuse and distortion of the concept
When Canal & River Trust (CRT) come up with a new policy or strategy, they have a favourite word to cover up the subtext: fairness. Safety Zones – fairness; extortionate pre-bookable moorings – fairness; converting casual moorings into restricted time visitor moorings – fairness; the licence surcharge for itinerant boaters – fairness. But who loses […]
Birmingham to include moored boats in Smoke Control Order but enforcement will be deferred
Birmingham City Council has decided to include moored boats in its new Smoke Control Order. However, due to the fact that the vast majority of respondents objected to the Order being extended to moored boats, no enforcement against boat dwellers will take place until the Council has developed a Moored Vessels Enforcement Policy.
Birmingham protest, 8th November, Farmer’s Bridge locks
Birmingham Protest! Join us to protest, leaflet and engage with the public at Farmer’s Bridge Top Lock, Birmingham, this Saturday 8th November 2025 from 11.30am to 3pm. Help us to raise public awareness of the threat to the homes of the itinerant boat dweller community from the CRT licence surcharge and its review of boat […]