The Canal & River Trust is today publishing the list of sites it will be offering for winter moorings in 2017-18.
The Trust is offering a range of winter mooring sites across the country so boaters can have as wide a choice as possible. There is a selection of sites near facilities, as well as quieter spots for boaters who want a bit more peace and quiet.
Winter moorings will be available from 1 November 2017 to 16 March 2018, finishing ahead of the Easter holidays and the start of the summer cruising season. A final list of the sites and prices can be found at www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/winter-moorings. All winter mooring permits will be charged at a ‘per metre, per month’ rate, and boaters will be able to book the spots in increments of one month, or two weeks in March 2018.
Matthew Symonds, boating strategy and engagement manager at Canal & River Trust, said: “While many people enjoy winter cruising, every year hundreds of boaters decide they want to settle in one place as the weather turns harsher or because it’s harder to get around because of stoppages. We offer winter moorings as an additional service to make things as easy as possible for boaters to make the choices that work best for them. There are a wide range of options and we hope that every boater who wants a winter mooring will find something to suit them. Your views are always helpful so do get in touch with any feedback.”
Winter moorings are divided into four price bands reflecting each site’s relative attractiveness, for example location and facilities, and to ensure the Trust stays in line with the pricing of both private mooring operators and its own long-term mooring sites.
This year most mooring prices will be held at 2016/17 levels. Some sites have changed price band in response to the high or low levels of demand last winter, with popular sites increasing in price and less popular sites seeing a price cut. The highest price band has seen a small increase of 50p per metre per month to £15.50 (a 3.5% rise). At a couple of sites facilities have been improved and this has been reflected in the pricing.
Both continuous cruisers and boaters with a home mooring will be able to take up a winter mooring. However, as with last year, boaters who are not meeting their licence requirements may not be eligible.
Bookings for the winter moorings will open at 6am on Monday 2 October and will be made through the Trust’s boat licensing site: https://licensing.canalrivertrust.org.uk/Account/Register. Boaters will be able to look at sites on the system from Wednesday 13 September.
If you have any questions about winter moorings please call customer services on 0303 040 4040 or email [email protected].