A number of improvements for canal users have been announced following a successful boat rally,

Fund Gloucester's Waterways very successful boat rally and campaign held in Gloucester Docks on September 30, with nearly 100 boats in attendance, opened good communications with the Canal & River Trust regional office in Gloucester.

There were a number of local issues raised relating to the River Severn, Gloucester Docks and the Gloucester to Sharpness Canal, in addition to the overall national campaign to increase funding for Britain's waterways.

Following a series of meetings and discussions, both the Canal & River Trust and Fund Gloucester's Waterways can announce the following:

Winter dredging: The planned winter suction dredging has been completed between Gloucester Lock and Monks Meadow. With dredging by barge-mounted digger, the floating visitor pontoons in front of North Quay, and beside Llanthony bridge "Bakers Quay" have been cleared of recent silt. The west and east quays have also been dredged, in preparation for the Tall Ships Festival at the end of May Bank Holiday. So, Gloucester is fully opening this summer with 2022's unprecedented silting issues finally overcome.

Summer opening of the canal and locks: Following lobbying, the CRT have announced that the Gloucester & Sharpness bridges and river locks are to be fully open this summer for seven days per week from April 1 to October 31. Opening times are 8am to 6pm. This has been achieved through increased central CRT funding and recruitment of volunteer bridge rangers, currently 32 volunteers. The Trust is still seeking more volunteers to assist with bridge operation, with options for morning, afternoon or all day.

Fund Gloucester's Waterways spokesman Colin Brooks said: "We are delighted to have had very useful meetings with CRT's Gloucester team and in putting the boater's viewpoint forward on the key issues caused by some of CRT's plans. The outcome is improvement for all boaters visiting Gloucester this summer."

Winter opening of the canal: Currently CRT have no plans to fully reopen the canal over winter to seven-day opening. However, CRT may reconsider the decision if more bridge volunteers are recruited with the possibility of increasing winter opening for the canal, even if some days are for shorter opening hours!

Improved boater communications between CRT and boat users regarding any limited restrictions on the canal will be notified via the existing phone and email alerts (e.g. if individual bridges close suddenly or there is a loss of power). All boaters using the G&S canal are encouraged to sign up to these alerts.

Canal & River Trust Waterways Museum: From March 16 the National Waterways Museum in Gloucester Docks will be fully opened at weekends - open Wednesday to Sundays. From 10am tio 4pm daily. Fantastic cream teas; children's and adult activities; enlarged exhibit and activity areas; with canal trip rides on the Queen Boadicea 2 from Easter. Volunteers are still required for the museum.

Boater facilities in Gloucester Docks: CRT have advised FGW that they have included for upgrading the electrical bollards on the West Quay in the main basin before March 31 - which is good news. Pump out facilities are now contactless payments, rather than the old card system, making use easier. FGW are currently preparing a proposal for toilet block upgrade with external funding for CRT's consideration - hopefully more details soon.

Ongoing funding campaign - Gloucester Tall Ships Festival: The IWA and FGW are planning to run a joint National Fund Britain's Waterways campaign stall during the Tall Ships Festival to raise awareness of cuts in central government funding.

In addition to Tall Ships there will be space for some visiting boats, but booking arrangements not yet finalised, but likely to require a stay for the full three days, and boats to be decorated, with CRT offering prizes for best dressed boats in both Victoria and main basins. With other water activities taking place then boat movements will be restricted during festival hours.

Fund Britain's Waterways' next national weekend of action is on May 4-6, with a national boat rally on the river Thames past the Houses of Parliament.]