THE Canal & River Trust is looking to fill gaps between its boater facilities to bring them in line with its policy to ensure a consistent level of service.
Over the past year, the trust has been rolling out fully contactless payment options on pump out machines, modernising the facilities, making them more robust, and improving convenience for boaters. Across the network, over 70 pump-out machines have been upgraded to contactless payment.
Head of customer service Matthew Symonds said: “We are committed to providing the best possible boater facilities that we can afford. This year we will continue to spend around £2 million on boater facilities, with all but pump-outs free at the point of use.
There are several areas across the canal network where the trust wants to increase services, with 19 spots requiring Elsan provision and 12 needing refuse facilities. It will work with partners to find ways to fill these gaps, which may include making agreements with the providers of existing private facilities to open them to all boaters.
In locations with over-provision, service points that are repeatedly affected by ongoing problems such as fly tipping and vandalism plus non-essential services such as toilets and showers, may also close if damage or vandalism makes the cost of repair prohibitive.
In compliance with new Welsh Assembly waste legislation, the trust is required to provide separated waste and recycling facilities. Waste sites on the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal will be consolidated and it is proposed to introduce a new facility at Goytre Wharf. There will be no changes on the Llangollen Canal.
Facilities are currently closed until further notice are: Salterhebble, Calder & Hebble Navigation, retaining refuse and water point; Marple, Peak Forest Canal, facilility block being rebuilt retaining all facilities; Lancaster full closure; Red Bull, Trent & Mersey, retaining Elsan and refuse; Camp Hill, Grand Union, retaining Elsan and refuse; Tyrley, Shropshire Union, full closure and Govilon, Monmouthshire & Brecon, refuse moving to Goytre Wharf.
For more information on the Customer Service Facilities Policy please visit: Customer services facilities policy | Canal & River Trust (canalrivertrust.org.uk).
