WCC Serbia September 2009

The 22nd World Canal Conference brought together in Novi Sad (Serbia), waterway managers, professionals in all related fields, users and opinion leaders for a full programme of technical sessions and site visits. Delegates came from 17 countries on 3 continents, and enjoyed a unique opportunity to discover the Danube and the other rivers and canals of Serbia.

EurEauWeb information service

New satnav product for the waterways

Euromapping has developed with EurEauWeb a new service for inland waterway users. The objective is to provide high-quality, precise and up-to-date map-based information on the waterways themselves and all services available to boaters as they cruise through the network. Euromapping has delivered the maps for the Water-Way product for UK and Ireland, and is currently preparing the equivalent high-resolution cover for France, the Benelux countries and the Middle Danube basin.

European Waterways Map

The 3rd edition of our popular map and directory is available to order. Its 64-page directory by David Edwards-May has received contributions and new material from throughout Europe, and provides information of value to all those who are interested in inland navigation, as a mode of transport, but also - for a growing number of enthusiasts - a way of life. The map covers Ireland and Portugal to the Caspian Sea and on the other side a significantly enhanced map covering the denser part of the network, from Dublin to Bratislava on the Danube. The booklet includes many colour photos and larger-scale maps of particular areas. This edition is available in English onky (other versions are being prepared.)
The price is the same as that of the previous edition: €16. Click here to order.

Roubaix Canal Blue Days

Blue Links is one of the leading EU-funded programmes for canal restoration. Euromapping played a key role in this project by coordinating communication and events leading up to reopening of the Roubaix-Espierres Canal to through navigation, now expected to take place in 2010. A major event and boat rally, Blue Days, took place on 18-20 September 2009, and the canal was opened for about 2 weeks to allow boats to assemble on the canal's summit level.

In partnership with the Lille communication agency Cargo Plume, Euromapping was responsible for communication, events and coordination of a group of experts to ensure transnational (and international) collaboration and transferable project outputs.

How are canals funded?

Study for UK waterways body

Euromapping has completed a study of funding sources for inland waterways in several countries of Europe and North America. The client is a consultative body created by the UK Government, the Inland Waterways Advisory Council (IWAC), attached to the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The objective was to identify the various sources of funding, covering both initial investments (as in major restoration projects) and running costs. The study - completed in June 2009 - shows that the percentage of costs covered by earned income is very low in most cases. Despite this, national and regional governments are maintaining funding levels sufficient to guarantee the ongoing operation, maintenance and renewal of this sensitive infrastructure. The research on the North American examples was conducted for Euromapping by The Canals Group.

French waterway guides

The waterway guides published by Les Editions du Breil, founded by John Riddel 20 years ago, are ideal for the detailed view of the inland waterways, thus complementing the overview provided by Euromapping's map and the guide Inland Waterways of France (8th edition in preparation). 17 guides cover almost the entire waterway network in France. Click here to see the full catalogue.