The NBTA has been informed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) that the draft Statutory Instrument, the Air Quality (Domestic Solid Fuels Standards) (England) Regulations 2020, was laid in both Houses of Parliament on 21st July 2020. This follows the 2018 consultation by DEFRA on the cleaner domestic burning of solid […]
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Please respond by 1st October to Government consultation on phasing out red diesel for propulsion
The Treasury is planning legislation to prohibit the use of red diesel for propulsion in “private pleasure craft”, following the 2018 judgment by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) regarding red diesel in private pleasure boats. This is part of a wider phasing out of red diesel for many uses, to meet […]
NBTA update on coronavirus restrictions, August 2020
Bargee Travellers who are shielding and waterway enforcement According to the Government, everyone who was shielding because the Government defined them as ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ has now been told that they can stop shielding as from 1st August. Some people will continue to shield due to either medical advice or to keep themselves as safe […]
Census 2021 is recruiting Community Advisers
The NBTA is involved in ongoing discussions with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) about how best the liveaboard boating community can be included in the 2021 Census. ONS is now hiring hundreds of Community Advisers. Bargee Travellers, and people from all backgrounds, are encouraged to apply. The census takes place every 10 years to […]
All members invited to to NBTA Committee phone meeting 2nd August
All NBTA members are invited to take part in the next NBTA Committee meeting, which again due to the coronavirus situation we will be holding as a telephone conference on Sunday 2nd August 2020, 2pm-4pm.
CRT enforcement post-lockdown
The NBTA has had some correspondence and discussion with Canal & River Trust (CRT) regarding its enforcement against boaters without a home mooring as the Covid-19 lockdown eases.
Research by Cardiff and Plymouth University into Bargee Travellers – online survey
The Universities of Cardiff and Plymouth are carrying out a joint research project called Canal boat dwelling: Homes, Welfare and Mobile Citizenship on Britain’s Canals. The project is funded by the British Academy and Leverhulme Trust. The researchers are Professor Richard Yarwood (Plymouth) and Dr Agatha Herman (Cardiff). They say:
Landmark judgement confirms Housing Benefit for boat licence fees
In a landmark judgement issued on 25th June 2020 (AB v London Borough of Camden (HB) [2020] UKUT 158 (AAC)), the Upper Tribunal has confirmed that Housing Benefit is payable for boat licence fees because the boat licence fee if living aboard is rent.
Leisure and hire boating in England to resume from 4th July as Coronavirus lockdown is eased further
With the Government’s announcement of 23rd June that overnight stays away from home will be permitted in England from 4th July 2020, this means that leisure boaters will be able to stay overnight on their boats and hire and hotel boat companies may resume trading. Most navigation authorities will revert to their normal enforcement practices […]
Please sign petition calling for the protection of wildlife on the towpath
All towpath users have have witnessed a mass resurgence in wildlife along the canal and river banks since the Coronavirus lockdown began.