Environment Agency - Anglian
AINA Representative: Mr Stuart Taylor - Head of Recreation and Navigation
Kingfisher House
Goldhay Way
Orton Goldhay
Peterborough
PE2 5ZR
Telephone: 01733 371811
Fax: 01733 231840
Email: enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk
Website: www.environment-agency.gov.uk
Constitutional status
Non-Department government body.
Description of navigation
Rural and urban rivers.
A brief history of the navigation
There are 5 Agency controlled navigations in the Anglian Region, the Great Ouse, Nene, Welland/Glen, Ancholme and Suffolk Stour. The Ouse and Nene are connected via the Middle Level System of drains and form the dominant waterway cruising network in the fens. The Ouse, Nene and Welland/Glen navigations all discharge ultimately to the Wash.
The Ancholme flows through North Lincolnshire and connects to the Humber at South Ferriby. In addition to inland cruising activities, the Ancolme is also used as a base for off-shore cruising in the Humber and beyond.
The Suffolk Stour is one of the oldest statutory navigations in the country, the navigation Act dating back to 1705. Today navigation on much of the river is restricted to use by small craft, although powered craft can use some sections.
Current situation and use
All of the above navigations are open to all craft with the exception of the restriction highlighted for the River Stour.
There is an operational link with British Waterways in Northampton where the Nene navigation links to the canal network. There are also close working relationships between the Agency and BW on the Witham and in connection with the proposed Bedford-Milton Keynes link.
In the Fens there are a number of well established partnership groups, these include the Lincolnshire Waterway Partnership and the Fens Tourism Group.
Plans for the future
Waterway Plans for all rivers will be published for public consultation during 2004, the outcome of this exercise will help to shape the future development of the waterways.
The proposed Fens Waterway Link is the flagship waterway project in the region and the project to link Lincoln, Peterborough and Cambridge by water will continue during 2004 and beyond.
Closely associated with the Fens Waterway Link is the Nar-Ouse Link, which is a proposal to connect Kings Lynn to the inland navigation network. Both of these projects complement the proposed Bedford – Milton Keynes link.
On the Suffolk Stour improvements are proposed for use of the river by un-powered craft, and in addition proposals are also being developed to extended the use of electrically powered craft on the river.
How we consult with our users
to follow
How we are structured
to follow
Navigation statistics
The Medway Navigation
WATERWAY |
LENGTH/AREA |
NUMBER OF LOCKS |
River Great Ouse System |
140 miles |
23 |
Suffolk River Stour |
24.4 miles |
15 (mostly derelict) |
River Nene |
62.5 miles |
37 |
Ancholme |
17 miles |
1 sluice, 1 lock |
River Welland |
35 miles |
1 |
The Glen |
11.5 miles |
Tidal sluice
|
River Great Ouse System
Waterway |
Length |
Beam |
Draught |
Headroom |
Bedford to Earith |
26 m (85ft 4ins) |
3.1m (10ft 4ins) |
1m (3ft 3ins) |
2.5m (8ft 1ins) |
Earith to Denver Sluice |
Unlimited |
Unlimited |
0.6m (2ft) Tidal |
2.3m(7ft 10ins)(min |
River Lark |
26m |
4.5m |
1m |
2.95m |
River Wissey |
26m |
4.5m |
1.2m |
2.9m |
Little Ouse River |
26m (15m u/s Brandon) |
4m (3.5 u/s Brandon) |
1.2m |
3m |
Relief Channel Lock/Navigation |
35m |
4.5m |
2m |
3m |
Suffolk River Stour
Ballington Bridge Sudbury to Henny Mill |
Mechanically propelled boats |
Henny to Flatford |
Only small unpowered craft that can be portaged around locks and mills |
Nene
Waterway |
Length |
Beam |
Draught |
Headroom |
Northampton to Peterborough |
23.7m (78ft) |
3.9m (13ft) |
1.2m (4ft) |
2.1m (7ft) |
Ancholme
Waterway |
Length |
Beam |
Draught |
Headroom |
South Ferriby Lock |
20.7m (68ft) |
5.8m (19ft) |
3m (10ft ) |
Unlimited |
South Ferriby Lock to Harlam Hill Lock |
12.2m (40ft) |
3.6m (12ft) |
2m (6ft 6ins) |
4.6m (15ft ) |
River Welland
Waterway |
Length |
Beam |
Draught |
Headroom |
Wash to Fulney Lock, Spalding |
33.5m (110ft) |
9.1m (30ft) |
2.4m (8ft at HW) |
2.4m (7ft 8ins MHSW)
4.2m (13ft 9ins MHWN) |
Fulney Lock at Normal Summer Levels |
19m (62ft 4ins) |
8.5m (27ft 10ins) |
10.8m (2ft 7ins) |
Unlimited |
Spalding to Folly River Outfall |
10.6m (35ft) |
8.5m (27ft 10ins) |
0.8m (2ft 7ins) |
1.6m (5ft 3ins) |
The Glen
Waterway |
Length |
Beam |
Draught |
Headroom |
Surfleet sluice, River Welland to Tongue End |
Unlimited |
4.4m (14ft 6ins) |
0.7m (2ft 6ins) |
1.9m (6ft 1in) |
Boating statistics
12 month period – April 2007-March 2008 - Licences/Registrations
|
Boat Type |
Long-Term |
Short-Term |
|
|
Powered |
Unpowered |
Powered |
Unpowered |
|
Privately owned |
4055 |
853 |
- |
- |
|
Hire – day boats |
40 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Hire – overnight stay/timeshare |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Hire – trip boat/ restaurant/passenger |
0 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Hire – hotel |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Other business/charity boats |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Requirements for boating
|
Boat Safety Scheme |
Yes
|
|
Third Party Insurance |
Yes
|