Audlem moorings saved

Regular readers will recall that great concern has been expressed by local boat owners and others that a British Waterways national policy might mean Audlem's permanent moorings for narrow boats would gradually be lost.

This afternoon, a meeting with British Waterways, arranged by Audlem Parish Council and attended by local boat owners, brought an end to such worries.

BW representatives, Sally Ash and Rob Broadbent, described BW's national policy to reduce on-line permanent moorings as a result of the many new marinas created in recent years.

Audlem representatives explained how important moorings in the village were both to local boat owners and the attractiveness of the canal, Audlem's leading attraction for visitors. BW agreed that there was room for local flexibility in the national policy.

Constructive discussionAfter a detailed and constructive discussion, and agreement that the permanent moorings do not adversely affect traffic along the canal, it was decided by BW that both Audlem's permanent mooring sites should be fully re-let.

These sites are the Audlem Town Pound (running south from Lock 12) and Audlem North Pound, between Locks 13 and 14.

Fifteen of the moorings are already let but about five more, depending on boat lengths, will now be let gradually. Spot dredging work will be required for some of the moorings which have silted up while empty.

If people are interested in tendering for an Audlem mooring, they can apply via www.bwmooringvacancies.co.uk or by telephoning Siobhan Collins on 01923 201451.

AgreementTo summarise, it was agreed at the meeting:

• Those already with moorings will retain them for the foreseeable future
• Vacant moorings in The Audlem Town Pound and Audlem North Pound will be made available again
• Those with existing moorings will not have to re-tender.

BW were praised by the local boat owners for their efficient dredging of the winding hole (where the boats can turn) below Lock 15.

---

This article is from our news archive. As a result pictures or videos originally associated with it may have been removed and some of the content may no longer be accurate or relevant.