The Thames Traditional Boat Society has launched a campaign to save public slipways and other access points on Britain's rivers and canals.

"More and more public slipways and other access points are disappearing from Britain's waterways", says TTBS Captain Robin Ford. "Some are blocked by local Authorities, over reacting to health and safety concerns; some 'disappear' in new developments, whilst there are examples of traditional public ferry and access points next to inns and pubs, which have been restricted to discourage non customers from using them".

The Thames Traditional Boat Society is devoted to the preservation, maintenance and, above all, use of traditional unpowered boats, such as rowing skiffs and dinghies, punts and canoes. Its several hundred members come from all over the country and use a variety of waterways, in addition to the River Thames. Recent society group cruises have included the Warwickshire Avon, the River Nene, The Fowey, Fal and the Kennet and Avon Canal.

"The Environment Agency, which controls many of England's important rivers, has recently issued a new 'Rivers for Life' vision and strategy, which includes the encouragement of unpowered boating and improvement of infrastructure, so we are hoping this may help. We are not just campaigning for own members, but also for the tens of thousands of other boaters who quietly enjoy our waterways in a trailable or car–top boat."

Society committee member Keith Odle is collating information on access points and slipways in danger of disappearing. For more information or to pass information to him, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it    The Society will be grateful to receive any information on access points or slipways that have been restricted.