Narrowboat owners preparing to renew their protest at Government cuts to canal maintenance are urging other canal users to lend their support.

The Kennet and Avon Canal will once again be blockaded at Devizes Wharf and Pewsey Wharf this weekend as part of a national protest action.

As with a similar event in November, there will be a carnival atmosphere at Devizes Wharf, with up to 50 boats blocking the canal and a symphony of sound at noon when all fog horns will be blown.

Refreshments are available all day with burgers, hot dogs and hot and cold drinks on offer.

Adrian Softley, of Devizes Boat Club, which is organising the Devizes protest, said: "We know we can rely on our members for support, but we really need everyone who uses the canal to show up and lend a hand.

"If the canal deteriorates because the maintenance budgets have been cut back it will affect everyone, dog walkers, anglers and canoeists, not just ourselves."

The message was the same from Pewsey, where Pewsey Wharf Boat Club will also be organising a blockade, though for a shorter period.

Kay Wardle, the club's general secretary, said: "Unfortunately, the date coincides with our annual meeting, so we can only hold the protest rally on the Sunday from 10am to 2pm.

"We did our bit in November with 18 or 19 boats turning up and we may have a few more members this time, but what we really need are other members of the public turning up.

"That way we can show the Government it is not just boaters who oppose these cuts. They will affect the whole community one way or another."

Michael Ancram MP has said he intends to visit Devizes Wharf on Saturday and may go to Pewsey on Sunday if time permits.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has told British Waterways it is thinking about cutting £9 million from its grant to British Waterways to make up for the huge fine it had to pay to the European Commission for failing to pass on Euro subsidies to farmers.

A petition is to be presented to Parliament by Save Our Waterways, the campaign group set up nationally to oppose the cuts.



Brian Poulton, chairman of the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust, said that DEFRA was planning a similar reduction in its support to British Waterways in the next financial year. He said: "To make matters worse, the fine imposed on DEFRA by the EU for failing to pay England's farmers their subsidies on time has reportedly risen from £131 million to £350 million. "We want to make sure that the Government does not again turn to the waterways of England to fund the consequences of DEFRAs financial mismanagement."