Living Life In The Slow Lane - Nationwide Survey Assesses Demand For Residential Boating

19 August 2008

In response to the sustained and continued increase in the usage of the UK’s canals and rivers, including by people wishing to live afloat, the Residential Boat Owners Association (RBOA) and British Waterways (BW) are inviting current and prospective residential boaters to complete a survey to provide information on the demand for living afloat and their preferences for different types of residential moorings.

The survey will identify waterways and regions in highest demand plus preferences for locations in rural or urban areas. It asks participants to consider the importance of issues such as access, parking and proximity to local services, and gauges attitudes towards the provision of facilities such as water, electricity and waste disposal which can either be available on site or, for some, within walking or cruising distance.

Using the results of the survey and examples of good residential boating developments around the waterways, RBOA and BW will publish guidance for developers, marina operators and planning authorities. It will include information on services and an outline of the benefits of incorporating residential berths into waterside development schemes such as those recently opened at Clarence Dock in Leeds and Grand Union Village in West London.

Rex Walden, chairman of the RBOA, comments: "Residential moorings bring about many benefits. In addition to assisting with government objectives for new homes, and sustainable, low impact living, residential boating often improves the vibrancy of a waterway, with a round-the-clock, year-long community who provide a helpful human presence.

"When considering proposals for residential berths it is important that developers and planners understand that residential boats are not 'bricks and mortar' dwellings. We want to make them aware of the considerations and services that will create an appropriate and successful site. There are many types of residential berths and not all need to be fully serviced. There are some good examples of low impact moorings where residents are happy to cruise a short distance for key facilities."

Sally Ash, BW's head of boating development, adds: "The partnership with the RBOA in this survey and associated research is really important. We want as many current and prospective residential boaters as possible to take part in the research to ensure that we get the whole picture to inform the debate and future policy.

"Although we don’t envisage a significant increase in designated residential berths within BW’s online moorings, there could be opportunities for creation of small, offline residential boating havens around the BW network. We therefore want to maximise awareness of the issues and opportunities among investors, and boaters who aspire to a life afloat. Our 2006 Inland Marina Investment Guide proved very effective in stimulating new marinas and we hope that this initiative will be equally successful."

The survey can be completed on paper and will be available online from 23 August 2008. The online survey at www.rboa.org.uk and www.britishwaterways.co.uk/residentialmoorings will be available for completion until the end of October. The survey will also be distributed at the IWA National Festival over August Bank Holiday and copies are available by post from BW’s customer services. RBOA members will automatically receive a copy in their September issue of Soundings.

Participation is completely anonymous and confidential. Online participants’ email addresses will only be known to the survey agency who will delete them once they have logged responses.

Those taking part in the survey and interested in securing a residential berth can register their details and preferences for a residential berth online at www.waterscape.com/mooringtenders (select ‘residential' in the mooring use box). Alternatively they can register by post for a small fee – call Customer Services on 01923 201120. Although scarce, they will receive notice whenever a BW-managed residential mooring becomes available.

Ends

For media enquiries contact:
Rex Walden, RBOA, M.07768 605841
chairman@rboa.org.uk

Jonathan Ludford, British Waterways, T.020 7985 7275 M.07747 897783
jonathan.ludford@britishwaterways.co.uk