Canal man in boat protest
A man who lives in a canal boat with no engine has covered it in banners and petitions in protest at efforts by waterways officials to move him on.
Ian Gill, 48, who has lived on the Kennet and Avon Canal around Bath for more than 15 years, has had his boat licence revoked after British Waterways complained he was not moving far enough.
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Mr Gill, whose boat is moored at Bathampton, said the terms of his cruising licence did not state how far he had to move and that he did not believe he was in breach of any conditions.
Mr Gill, who works in the city handing out the Metro newspaper, said he could not move any further away because of his work commitments.
He said: "There is nothing in the rules and regulations to say how far you have to move – only that you have to move every 14 days.
"A few months ago I had a problem in that I wasn't very well so I couldn't move the boat and they decided that when I did it wasn't far enough.
"They have told me to go to Trowbridge or Devizes but that is too far for me to be able to cycle back for work."
Mr Gill's boat said his boat had no engine so found it difficult to move his craft more than half a mile at a time.
He said: "I am concerned about the environment and there are a lot of boats burning diesel up and down the canal.
"If I move my boat I have to punt it and that can be quite hard work."
More than 1,000 people have signed a petition to support him and he said he was now living on the canal illegally and waiting for British Waterways to take him to court.
He said: "I get really upset and I honestly feel I am part of the Bath community.
"I do volunteer work in the city and do things with the Fringe Festival.
"You try and do your bit to be part of the community and they come and tell you you can't be and that is what is really upsetting."
A spokeswoman for British Waterways said she could not comment on individual cases but said licensed boats were expected to continually cruise the canal network.
She said: "We expect people to abide by the continuous cruising rule and if we feel they are not doing so we will revoke the licence."
45 Comments
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by igor, bath
Sunday, December 27 2009, 7:35PM
“Ian's boat has got an engine but they get a Discount on the BW Cruising License if they declare the boat as unpowered - that lot don't ever go anywhere anyway there must be at least a couple of hundred of them braking the rules just between Bath and Bradford - on - Avon alone. I therefore think it unfair that they choose to Pick on Poor Old Ian - They should Do the Ready Lot !, Igor”
by Sgt. M Skinner, Gloucester
Wednesday, October 14 2009, 6:12PM
“Ian is living in peace on the K&A and has broken no Law. The terms and conditions of his licence are ultra vires and a severe breach of his civil liberties. Furthermore, some of the postings on this site seem very ethnocentric. Shame on you.
The general public must remember the canal is a place where people live, and not simply a place to visit or pass through on a part-time basis.
Leave the baoties alone.
Sgt. M.S.”
by Maffi, Oxford
Wednesday, October 14 2009, 8:14AM
“Ian Gill despite what he says is trying to use the charity of unsuspecting members of the public to stay illegally on the canal. The rules need no more than secondary education to understand. !5 yeas over staying is really extracting the urine.”
by Thomas, Bath
Tuesday, October 13 2009, 7:53AM
“Well said, Ben!”
by Dave, Larkhall
Monday, October 12 2009, 8:17PM
“No Rob, Bath Marina is BW owned and operated, charging by the way, almost double my mooring rates. Not that it matters because both sites are full to overflowing with long waiting lists.
I once again emphasise, that unless the authorities get their heads around the residential use of our waterways, and refrain from considering their use under non applicable planning rules, you and I and others like us will always have the Mr Gills of this world.”