Registration hikes

[Gumpy]

There is a rumour going about the the EA want to raise registration fees by 30% over the next 3 years

Well its more than a rumour, it was discussed at a recent users meeting with the head of navigation.

So if this happens will staying out of the NWC be such a good idea?

 

[boatone]

The EA have indeed started discussions with customers in relation to charging plans for future years.
You can read the official line HERE

It is fair to say that talks are at an early stage but, given the reductions in government funding, it would be surprising if we are not faced with significant increases in registration fees. I understand decisions are likely to be taken in a couple of months time.

I fail to see how being in or out of the NWC would help as all the evidence suggests that BW are in an even more serious position with regard to funding.
Putting it bluntly there just isn't enough money in the pot even with the current level of Grant In Aid funding.

I am watching this situation closely through the TMBA. If you are not already signed up please do so and support our efforts to ensure the views of all power boaters on the Thames are strongly represented.

 

[apollo]

The EA have indeed started discussions with customers in relation to charging plans for future years.
You can read the official line HERE

It is fair to say that talks are at an early stage but, given the reductions in government funding, it would be surprising if we are not faced with significant increases in registration fees. I understand decisions are likely to be taken in a couple of months time.

I fail to see how being in or out of the NWC would help as all the evidence suggests that BW are in an even more serious position with regard to funding.
Putting it bluntly there just isn't enough money in the pot even with the current level of Grant In Aid funding.

I am watching this situation closely through the TMBA. If you are not already signed up please do so and support our efforts to ensure the views of all power boaters on the Thames are strongly represented.

I cannot see why in their plans, they are not mentioning charging other River Users more ie Fishermen, Rowers, Sailors.

Its always the easy solution, screw the rich bastewards for more cash.....

 

[thames cruiser]

I cannot see why in their plans, they are not mentioning charging other River Users more ie Fishermen, Rowers, Sailors.

Its always the easy solution, screw the rich bastewards for more cash.....

Yeah, totally agree. I think rowers only pay something like £30 per year (someone might correct me here?), and that's if they pay direct - it's discounted if they buy through a rowing club. Maybe it's the Rowing Clubs that should be paying more... for their maintained frontage on the River, frequent restriction of use to other river users during regattas etc. etc.

And if license paying boaters have to pay mooring fees, then why not rod-licensed fishermen having to pay for their perches (no punn intended!) - especially when they perch on perfectly good mooring positions preventing boats from getting onto said (somewhat limited) moorings!

OK, I'm ranting. Someone else have a go!

 

[jecuk]

Quite simply it is because a 10% increase in our registrations will net far more than a similar rise in anyone else's. Not saying I like it but that is why they do it.

 

[Captain Coochie]

Wilsons puts up the mooring charges in line with the EA rises as they say they have to pay it aswell . So that would make my mooring fees 30% more Lucky ive found another spot eh .

 

[apollo]

Quite simply it is because a 10% increase in our registrations will net far more than a similar rise in anyone else's. Not saying I like it but that is why they do it.

Then increase each rowboat from £19 to £100 which is still a pittance....simples!

 

[TrueBlue]

Then increase each rowboat from £19 to £100 which is still a pittance....simples!

Unlikely to happen 'cos the rowers are organised and other boaters are not - how can you expect to be heard when the only organisation representing all motor boaters can only muster 50 members.

 

[dash300]

The inequality of registration charges have always been an irritation to me.
I have a small inboard dayboat for trips to the pub etc. a small outboard punt for fishing, and a Motor cruiser.
I can only use one at a time and yet have to pay full wack on each of them.

If Tesco were running the show whilst I might not get a BOGOF deal some sort of discount might apply!

 

[teddington_lock]

But they could all be out at the same time ?

You could be on holiday on your motor cruiser
Some friends could have borrowed your punt to go fishing
The people minding your house could pop to the pub in your dayboat

But that's besides the point , do you get a discount on your car tax if you own three cars ?

 

[dash300]

But they could all be out at the same time ?

You could be on holiday on your motor cruiser
Some friends could have borrowed your punt to go fishing
The people minding your house could pop to the pub in your dayboat

But that's besides the point , do you get a discount on your car tax if you own three cars ?

Yes of course, that's the irritating logic, and my choice;been keeping the firm going for years in all its incarnations.
Still the 'river pikeys' must be in an even worse position with the plethora of
boats dangling from them !

 

[Captain Coochie]

Getting them out of the water is the only way and just buy a licence when you use them .

 

[teddington_lock]

Yes of course, that's the irritating logic, and my choice;been keeping the firm going for years in all its incarnations.
Still the 'river pikeys' must be in an even worse position with the plethora of
boats dangling from them !

I guess so , any that come through the lock we check for licences , and invariably find that they are licenced.

 

[Gibel Tarik]

The Association of Thames Yacht Clubs, DBA-The Barge Association and the RYA are already opposing the hike in registration charges.

The DBA Chairman wrote recently to the EA Head of Navigation - Stuart Taylor -*
'Clearly Users were astonished at your proposal to increase registration fees by 33% over the next three years as am I. *Thames boaters currently provide 20% of the income needed to maintain that river (even assuming inclusion of all weir maintenance which is still being debated!) *The equivalent for BW is 10% and looking further afield in France boaters provide 1.37% of VNFs income, in Holland recreational boaters pay no registration fees for the main network and in Wallonia (S Belgium) the waterways are free for both commerce and recreation!

The situation on the Thames has been made worse by the unproved presumption this year that weirs are for navigation and have little to do with Flood Risk.

Your premise is that one sector - motor-boaters - should pay more for the Thames. *There are other users making only a small or no contribution to river costs who depend on the navigation department to ensure optimum levels - these include water companies, fisheries, anglers, canoeists, rowers and riparian owners. *You have not addressed any of these avenues in your note. *You have mentioned developing commercial opportunities but this work appears to have stagnated with no suitable commercial manager after a 6 month search!**

Boaters are not just seeing increases in registration charges but significant rises in fuel costs, moorings, and maintenance. *The last time significant increases were proposed (12% for three years) the economy was still in boom. In its current state more people will be driven away from boating, change their UK base, or go abroad and an exodus from the Thames can be expected.

I have no problem with an increase this year and suggested that the zero increase last year was an opportunity missed but it cannot be justified to be above inflation.'

Not mentioned above is that swimmers and walkers also don't contribute directly to the river.

 

[apollo]

Totally agree with you summary statement there, should we not all copy it out and post letters to somebody?
Although I know the associations you mention are working hard, its only going to really work with 8000 letters on their doorstep?

 

[apollo]

The EA have indeed started discussions with customers in relation to charging plans for future years.
You can read the official line HERE

.

Tone, I could and did ask google but got diddley squat back and hence quicker to ask you...

What exactly (w.t.f) is National Navigation Users Forum (NNUF) ??

Is this something we can join or is it reserved for the old boy network?

 

[Gibel Tarik]

The National Navigation Users Forum is the Environment Agency national consultative group for all EA navigable waters. As it's title suggests its attendees are drawn from, mainly national, democratic waterway organisations at the invitation of the Environment Agency Head of Waterways. In recent years representative have been invited from principal waterways including ATYC for the Thames.

 

[oldgit]

"And if license paying boaters have to pay mooring fees, then why not rod-licensed fishermen having to pay for their perches (no punn intended!) - especially when they perch"

A coarse fishing licence costs me at the moment £27.00 and a salmon and trout licence costs me about £75.00.This is in addition to my Boat licence.There will be probably a club fee of around £100.00 quid a year in there somewhere as well.

I do not require,as a fisherman,vast expence to be spent on dredging,piling long stretches of river bank or covering it in concrete,pumpouts,an army of happy and cheerful chaps to wipe my nose at each and every lock,1ft or 15ft of water in the river is just fine with me so no need for all those weirs and the 3ft or so of river bank I need for a days fishing can be shared with ducks and all the other local wildlife while am enjoying my very quiet sport.