Please help save the Castlemill boatyard in Jericho, Oxford. The yard has just been given notice to quit by British Waterways with a pending development on the site by Bellway Homes.

It's the only working boatyard that serves the boating community in Oxford and its closure threatens their very survival. No alternative yard is being provided by British Waterways.

Please sign and pass on far and wide - there's a planning inquiry at Oxford Town Hall on the 8th March 2005 and the weight of numbers really counts

 http://www.petitionthem.com/default.asp?sect=detail&pet=1604

For more info on the issues see  http://www.portmeadow.org

PETITION TEXT
We petition British Waterways to guarantee the survival of the Castlemill boatyard in Jericho, on the only remaining working wharf on the Oxford Canal in Oxford. It provides a vital service for maintaining residential boats (in total around 70 boats), an affordable local housing option. The yard is essential for the maintenance and upkeep of the boats, including the legal necessities of Boat Safety Certificates and surveys. Without the yard safety and standards will be severely jeopardised. With its 160 year history as a working wharf and part of Jericho, it is a vital part of the character of the area, celebrated in Philip Pullman's Dark Materials trilogy.

DESIRED OUTCOME
To ensure the continued existence of a working canal boatyard in Jericho, Oxford.

WHO WE NEED TO INFLUENCE
British Waterways, the Planning Inspectorate, Bellway homes.

HOW LONG WILL WE CAMPAIGN
Until the end of 2005

WHO TO CONTACT
Adrian Arbib at  info@arbib.org