27 January – New Home for VisitThames Website

As from today the VisitThames website previously managed by the Environment Agency is now being managed by Tourism South East on behalf of the River Thames Alliance Marketing Partnership. The web address remains the same at www.visitthames.co.uk
According to the Environment Agency, “This represents a real success in terms of the sustainabilty of the website into the future, as the annual costs should be reduced by nearly 80% so it is capable of being fully funded through the partnership now.”

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22 January – TMBA email to Datchet Parish Council

On behalf of the TMBA I have sent the following email to the Clerk of Datchet Parish Council:

We have been made aware of the Datchet Parish Council proposals to improve the leisure craft moorings, and also to provide a new passenger boat facility, on the Thames at Datchet.

On behalf of our members, many of whom cruise the WIndsor stretch and are likely to make use of improved facilities, I write in support of your plans,  which, we sincerely hope, will come to fruition.

You rightly refer to the improvement work at Wallingford which also provided additional mooring space, a move greatly appreciated by those of us that enjoy using the river. We wish that more riverside local authorities would recognise the potential for enhancing the riverside amenities, which can only be to the benefit of local residents and river users alike.

I regret that, due to a prior engagement. I will be unable to attend the meeting on 25th January. but hope this communication may be of some assistance.

Kind regards
Tony Riley – Administrator
Thames MotorBoaters Association

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22 January 2012 – Call to meeting re Moorings at Datchet

The TMBA has received the following request for all interested parties to support parish council proposals for new moorings at Datchet.

Are you able to send this press release from Datchet PC to your members?  There have been a few vociferous objectors to Datchet PC’s proposal, the core of their objection is to remove all of the mooring facilities from Datchet all together and have no facilities for any passenger operation at all, they consider that boats spoil their view of the river and that boats are too large and obtrusive.  The objectors are riverside residents that have paid high prices for their property and do not want their view of the river frontage to be spoiled by boats, people feeding the swans and ducks, or fishing being a general comment.

Are you also able to put this on your website with a request for people to attend the meeting and support the proposal.  A meeting is arranged at Datchet Parish Village Hall at 7.30pm on Wednesday 25th January 2011, all interested parties are invited to attend and present their views.

From Datchet Parish Council
Web: www.datchetparishcouncil.org.uk
Graham J. Leaver Clerk

THE QUEEN’S DIAMOND JUBILEE CELEBRATION AND THE

2012 OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC GAMES

A NOTICE OF INTENTION TO CARRY OUT REPAIR AND REFURBISHMENT WORKS AND REINSTATE A RIVER PASSENGER PICK UP FACILITY WITHIN THE RIVER FRONTAGE AT DATCHET AT THE LOCATION PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AS ‘DATCHET WHARF’.

The two existing boat mooring jetties at Datchet River frontage have become a hazard risk due to suffering dilapidation and damage over a number of years and as a consequence are deemed unsafe and have been prohibited for use by boat owners by the Datchet Parish Council on behalf of their insurers.

Additionally the foreshore footpath in one location has over the years suffered damage by boats and the damage being further exacerbated by flood events during recent years and requires repair for public safety.

The Datchet Parish Council intend to replace the two existing jetties with new structures suitable for present pleasure craft mooring and repair the damaged footpath frontage.
In addition to these works Datchet Parish Council wish to install a third jetty for use by passenger craft as a pick up location for spectators attending the rowing Olympic and Paralympics Games taking place at Dorney between June and September 2012.

The facility is intended for persons arriving in Datchet by train and those persons leaving their cars in Upton car park and wishing to enjoy a river journey experience.  The jetty will remain in place following the Olympic Games and provide a continuing visitor facility for enjoyment of the River Thames cruise experience alternatively without the necessity of arrival by car.

The Datchet Parish Council’s intention is that all the above facilities be in place prior to both the Queen’s Jubilee Celebrations and the Olympic games, however, the approval process is somewhat protracted and work cannot proceed until the approval has been granted, but has the full support of the Environment Agency who are the approving body.  Meanwhile Datchet Parish Council is continuing to press the Environment Agency for an early response, as the projection completion timescale is critical to this requirement.

The intended works have, in addition, the full approval of all of the river user association which exceed over 100,000 river craft owners and with Datchet Parish Council being invited to join with the Royal Borough in the organisation of these events.
In addition to the above, Datchet Parish Council has been advised that the Village of Wallingford has also refurbished their mooring facilities which have resulted in an increase in trade to local businesses.  In view of the Country’s economic conditions the opportunity for Datchet businesses to benefit and participate in the two national events with some continuance into the future should not be missed and has the support of Datchet Parish Council.
Some of the facilities offered to Datchet visitors additional to free 24hr overnight mooring are a range of café’s, pubs, restaurants, hotels, post office and a mini-mart, for topping up those essential supplies and in addition facilities for River Cruise hire and marine services are immediately available on the adjoining site.

The necessity to repair existing structures coinciding with national events where Datchet has an opportunity to participate and benefit, should not be missed and therefor the Parish Council seek the support of all residents and businesses to ensure a successful outcome.

A meeting is arranged at the Parish Village Hall at 7.30pm on Wednesday 25th January 2011, all interested parties are invited to attend and present their views.

Contact relevant to this issue is requested to be made through the Parish  office.
Graham J. Leaver
CLERK TO THE COUNCIL

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19 January 2012 – New Lock Gates at Benson

Illustrated report from a TMBA member about a visit to see work in progress at Benson Lock .
“ Every year EA effectively close long lengths of the Thames to perform major works on the lock structures. This year there is only one lock to have new gates and that is at Benson in Oxfordshire.”  - Full report HERE

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7 January 2012 – TMBA Publishes River Etiquette for boaters

The TMBA has today published its own ‘River Etiquette for Boaters’

The document is available as a pdf which can be downloaded from the website HERE

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1 January 2012 – Happy New Year

The TMBA wishes all its members a Happy New Year for 2012.

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28 December 2012 – Notes of meeting with Lord Smith, Chairman EA Board

A brief note has appeared on the ATYC website reporting on a meeting with Lord Smith, Chairman of the EA Board, on 21st December.
You can read the pdf HERE
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14 December 2011 – EA Winter Closures Issue 3

Issue 3 of the EA Winter Investment Plan lock closures is now available on the EA website HERE

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29 November 2011 – Olympics Information

We have received the attached diagram giving information about the river restrictions during the Olympics in 2012.

PLEASE NOTE  - THIS IS INDICATIVE ONLY and subject to change.

Olympics Diagram

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29 November 2011 – Romney Lock Closure Dates

Romney Lock closure dates are now confirmed as follows:
Monday 23 January to Friday 27 January 2012 and
Monday 30 January to Friday 3 February 2012

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