The Canal & River Trust boater consultation, which will be co-created with boaters over the coming months, forms part of our response to the independent commission on boat licensing. Which reported at the end of 2025 and highlighted that the existing licensing system doesn’t work well for boaters or the Trust. It also raised concerns about communication and relations between the Trust and boaters.
About the consultation and why it is happening
The consultation will consider a wide range of topics, including boat safety, support for boaters, greater certainty around navigation requirements, fair sharing of the space, and managing the canal network responsibly.
Ahead of the 14-week formal consultation, we will work with boaters to ensure that the consultation properly reflects the real experiences, priorities and challenges faced by those on the water.
This pre-engagement process will involve national boating organisations, boater representatives, local boating groups and the creation of a new Citizens’ Boater Panel, bringing together a diverse range of boating voices from across the network. The panel will include people with different boating lifestyles, helping us understand perspectives that may not always be heard and ensuring real-world boating experiences help shape the consultation from the outset.
We will publish regular updates on the engagement process, opportunities to get involved and information about how feedback is being used to help shape the consultation.
What to expect over the coming months
August: Listening
Working directly with boating communities and representative organisations to better understand their experiences and priorities.
- Recruitment for the Citizens’ Boater Panel.
- Workshops with National Boating Organisations, boater representatives and the Navigation Advisory Group.
- Engagement with local boating groups and communities.
- Attendance at boating and waterways events across the network.
September: Working together
Focusing on deeper discussions with boaters.
- Citizens’ Boater Panel recruitment closes, panel members are confirmed and begin participating in workshops and discussions.
- Continued engagement with boating organisations, representatives and stakeholder groups.
- Exploration with boaters about the practical implications of recommendations from the Licensing Commission report.
October–November: Shaping the consultation
Using boaters’ input to help finalise the consultation approach.
- Final stakeholder workshops and co-design sessions.
- Testing consultation themes, language and questions to ensure they are clear and accessible.
- Sharing updates on how feedback has influenced the consultation design.
- Publication of information about consultation dates, timescales and opportunities to participate.
December 2026–February 2027: Public consultation
The formal consultation opens, providing opportunities for all boaters and stakeholders to have their say through online responses, events and engagement sessions.
Spring 2027: Reporting back
- Independent analysis of consultation responses.
- Publication of findings.
- Explanation of how feedback has informed next steps and future decision-making.