The revolutionary new boating hardware is the first outcome from a collaborative programme between the CRT and BCU's School of Engineering to deliver wider inclusion on the UK's inland waterways, in consultation with the Accessible Waterways Association.
Commenting on the new installations, the Canal & River Trust's National towpath advisor Dick Vincent said: "Canals are for everyone. Yet for many people with physical impairments, limited mobility or reduced strength, mooring a boat remains a significant barrier to enjoying the waterways."
"Through our partnership with Birmingham City University on our Accessible Mooring Project, we are committing to practical and permanent infrastructure that makes canals genuinely available to all.”
“We are starting with this unique accessible mooring bollard, an innovation that we anticipate will be rolled right out across the 2,000 miles of historic waterways across England and Wales that we care for.”
BCU business development manager Andy Neilson said: “At Birmingham City University, the academic focus is to ensure that our graduates aren’t only well-grounded in theoretical principles but also have the opportunity to work on real-life projects that have demonstrable value out in the world. This is a wonderful example of just such a project.”
Canal boat owner user testing and feedback are now under way, with the new installations being regularly monitored to ensure that these groundbreaking new mooring anchors will remain in use.
