I LEFT LIFE ON LAND AND BOUGHT A CANAL BOAT..

• Joe Dixey, 33, waxed lyrical about life on the water but rued one thing
• The professional photographer moved to the canals four years ago
• Over the four years since, he has noticed a frustrating decline in 'services'

A canal boat convert has waxed lyrical about life on the water but rued one big problem he and others are presented with which leaves them 'at risk'.

Joe Dixey, 33, a photographer from Nottinghamshire, explained how he loves the feeling of exploring a new section of the canal every few weeks to feed his adventurous appetite.

However, over the four years since he left solid ground behind, he has noticed a frustrating decline in 'services' which make it easier to live in this adventurous way.

Mr Dixey moved into his previous boat in 2020 and, one vessel later, lives with his girlfriend Rosie Morris and their dog Umbra on one of 35,000 boats winding their way through Britain's inland waters.

This style of living has enjoyed a boom in recent years as influencers share idyllic glimpses of boat life on Instagram and TikTok with promises of a cheaper and more fulfilling existence.

The photographer has been able to capitalise on his changing surroundings by capturing his different environments in beautiful ways with each new destination. 

However, he told the Telegraph that the decline of basic necessities such as water and rubbish disposal points has caused day-to-day living to be more of a frustration.

'Even just things like bins on the towpath,' Mr Dixey said, 'there are no bins.'

He also claimed that the canals are being 'less looked after' now than compared with previous years, leading him to fear they may become derelict.

Though canals have never been known for being clear and pure waters, the waters are no different from many others in the UK which have suffered form deteriorating conditions.

Mr Dixey claimed to have seen one kitchen in London, where he was based last month, dumping waste cooking oil directly into the canal.

And the towpaths are apparently not in much better nick either, especially in cities where they are overgrown or strewn with litter.

'As if they can't afford to strim hedgerows?' Mr Dixey remarked.

If the canals are struggling to survive, the 33-year-old suggests so will the people who live on them.

He suggested that spiralling costs could also force him off the boat before he has time to reach his goal of navigating all 2,700 miles of Britain's canals. 

Mr Dixey currently spends £400 each month on the loan for his boat, plus £1,400 every year for a licence to be on the water.

While this currently adds to less than he and his girlfriend would be spending on renting a flat in London, fees are going up. 

The Canal and River Trust, a charity which looks after canals in England and Wales, has announced a hike in fees for all boats at a rate above inflation, with Mr Dixey saying his is going to be as high as '25 per cent above inflation'.

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2024-06-30T13:27:16Z dg43tfdfdgfd