Dramatic Launch of Taunton's Community Boat
The launch of Taunton’s electric powered, community trip boat on to the River Tone caused quite a spectacle this morning as it was craned into the water at Priory Bridge Road slipway.
Named ‘Future Perfect’, the boat will run on the River Tone between 21 and 30 of August offering boat trips up and down the river from The Brewhouse to French Weir. Tickets for adults are £3 and children are £2 (charter information available on request). Special services will run for Friends of French Weir Family Fun day on 22 August and for the Longrun Family Picnic on 28 August when it will offer a ‘river bus’ service as well as transporting the Mayor to the event.
Project Taunton has teamed up with the Somerset Waterways Development Trust (SWDT) in support of the boat. Future Perfect has been built to a traditional design and is beautifully finished with varnished wood, it can carry 12 passengers and is virtually silent thanks to its sustainably powered electric engine. Funding for Future Perfect has been provided by the BIG lottery with contributions from Somerset County Council, Project Taunton and SWDT.
Future Perfect has been taking trips on the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal starting from Creech St Michael since June. The ambition from the outset was to take trips on the River Tone but excess silt in the river has to be removed before the boat can navigate Firepool Lock. Negotiations are underway with British Waterways, the Environment Agency and Abbey Manor Homes to allow for the silt’s removal. However refusing to be daunted by this obstacle SWDT has organised the crane to launch the boat into the river tomorrow so that people in Taunton can enjoy the boat for the remainder of the summer.
Talking about the launch on the River Tone, Paul Yeomans of SWDT, said: “The Trust is very excited that at last ‘Future Perfect’ is coming to Taunton, especially since so many people in Taunton voted for the project’s success with Big Lottery making it possible. Trips will be available from Saturday 21st until the end of August, no need to book, just look out for us at The Brewhouse landing stage and see Taunton from another angle.”
Ian Franklin, Project Director for Project Taunton, said: “It’s fantastic that the Trust have been able to launch the boat on the River Tone as this has always been the aspiration. We want to make the most of the river in Taunton and this boat is a great way of enabling many more people to access the waterways around town. As well as regular trips, the boat will provide a ‘river bus’ service from Priory Bridge Road Car Park for people coming to the Longrun Family Picnic on Saturday 28 August.”
For more information visit www.swdt.org.uk or call Alec Hay at SWDT on 01823 443034.
For more information about Project Taunton go to www.projecttaunton.co.uk or call the Project Taunton team on 01823 250 809.
