BOATS on the River Foss could be a more common sight in York under a long-running scheme to revamp the city's waterways, councillors will hear next week.

Under the proposal, it is intended to allow members of the boating community to be trained as lock keepers so they will be able to go through the newly-repaired Castle Mills Lock on the River Foss.

Currently, boaters must pay a £100 return charge to be allowed through.

Roger Brook, chairman of the Ouse and Ure section of the Inland Waterways Association, welcomed the proposed move.

He said: "Most boaters are unable or unwilling to pay £100 to gain access to the River

Foss. It should be more used by boaters, and the general

community."

The move is one of a series of actions that have been taken after councillors came up with a special report on how to

manage and improve York's rivers in 2003. On Monday, members of the council's Leisure and Heritage Scrutiny Board will be updated for the first time on how their recommendations are being implemented.

Their original ideas included:

Opening up the riverside to the public, where possible

Developing river transport such as "Park & Sail"

Improving contacts with boating groups

Making more use of

information boards

Lighting under bridges to be considered

A "continuous green swathe" along river corridors to be

promoted

A York Rivers partnership should be set up.

David Meigh, head of parks and open spaces at City of York Council, said: "We've got to know the boating fraternity better, and their needs and aspirations, these last couple of years."

Tourist vessels could also be increased on the river Ouse after planning permission was granted for a traditional boat service, while a new pedestrian walkway across the river is being considered as part of the York Central site.

This summer, there will be a new Rivers Festival event to celebrate the city's waterways, with a wide variety of

attractions planned - of which the centrepiece will be the famous Dragon Boat Challenge run by the Rotary Club.

Mr Brook said: "Rivers should be a credit to the city of York. They're under-utilised."

Updated: 10:12 Friday, February 10, 2006