Have your say in boat licensing consultation

The Canal & River Trust are reminding all boaters and boating groups to take part in the final stage of their consultation on the future of boat licensing.

Many boaters have already taken part, with over 6,000 responses to the consultation received so far. As this is something that will affect all boaters on our waterways, they want to ensure that everyone has a chance to have their say. Boaters have until 18 December to respond to the consultation.

Jon Horsfall, their acting head of boating comments: “There’s been a great response to the consultation, with thousands of boaters letting us know their thoughts, feelings and suggestions. Thank you to those who have already taken part. If you haven’t had a chance to read through the proposals yet there’s still plenty of time as the consultation is running until 18th December.

“It’s important to let us know what you think. This is about the future of boat licensing – not least how to make sure that the important financial contribution made by boaters is spread fairly across the boating community both now and in the future – and you may be affected by any changes that may be made. We want to work together with the boating community to shape a licensing system that it simple, fair and will stand the test of time.”

The Canal & River Trust have published a series of licensing options based on the feedback given by boaters in the first stages of consultation held during the spring and summer. They have written to all licence holders and other boating groups and organisations to invite them to take part. A final proposal, including details of when any changes will come into effect, will be published once the responses to this stage of the consultation have been reviewed.

More information about the boat licensing consultation, including reports from stage one and stage two, can be found at: National Consultations