A BOATERS’ “Big Bash” is being held this weekend with organisers hoping to shine a spotlight on new charges set to be introduced on the canal.

The National Bargee Travellers Association (NBTA) said there will be live music, children’s activities, stalls and speeches at the family fun day in the Paddington Arm of the Grand Union Canal in Westbourne Park from noon tomorrow, Saturday.

“There’s going to be music, stores, and all sorts of activities for people to enjoy rather than just marches or speeches,” said Jake Oscar Saville, of the NBTA.

He said the association members are concerned about surcharges being imposed on “itinerant” boaters – also known as “continuous cruisers” – living in boats who do not have a fixed mooring.

A “commission” has also been launched by the Canal & River Trust, the body responsible for maintaining the historic waterways.

Mr Saville said he believed itinerant boaters’ interests were not being represented to the commission, and added: “It’s a commission to look into the future of itinerant boaters but there’s nobody from our community that’s a part of it.”

The NBTA, launched in 2009, is a volunteer organisation providing support and advocacy for the various people living on boats across the United Kingdom. The NBTA believes the surcharge discriminates against them and is a direct threat to a traditional, low-impact, lifestyle.

They argue the fee risks pricing their communities off the water entirely.

Mr Saville said: “We’ll continue to organise as best we can to make sure that they are aware of what their legal rights are and that they’re not being discriminated against by enforcement that isn’t legally proper.”

The commission was launched in January and is chaired by lawyer Andrew Cowan, alongside Sir Chris Kelly and a CRT rep. The CRT said: “It has been 30 years since the British Waterways Act 1995 was passed and, in that time, there have been many changes to the canal network and how it is managed, the number of boats licensed on our waterways, and the way people are choosing to use their boats. We believe it’s a sensible time to take a fresh look at how we license boats on our waters and help us consider whether it would be sensible to consider possible changes that better reflect the use of the network, today and in the future.”

For more on the association and fun day go to: https://bargee-traveller.org.uk/