From our ANPEI correspondent Roger Collins:
I attended the Commission Locale des Usagers held by the Dijon VNF Office (DTCB) a couple of weeks ago at Digoin. Their discussions with the head office in Béthune, obviously piloted by the Ministry of Finance, have allowed some positive measures whereby a new category of reduced depth called plaisance+ with a total depth of the channel at 2 metres is being introduced in the areas where there are a number of hotel barges operating. (Burgundy Canal from the Saône to Pouilly and the Centre from St Julien sur Dheune to the Saône as well as the Briare and Latéral à la Loire from Montargis to Nevers).
However our request that navigation on demand be allowed between Venarey and Pouilly on the Burgundy received a firm refusal and we were told could only happen if financial support from local authorities is found. An old friend and colleague, Krishna Lester, (who runs the port at Mailly la Ville) and I are trying to get a campaign of lobbying together to persuade the region Bourgogne Franche Comté, the Département of the Côte d'Or and any other local collectivities to intervene. If the central part of the Burgundy is defintively closed to navigation, undoubtedly within three of four years VNF will be told to close the whole of the Yonne side of the Canal.
