EA Navigations transfer to C&RT deferred

boatone

boatone

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A ministerial statement today confirms that the proposed transfer of the EA Navigations to the Canal and Rivers Trust will be deferred.
Initial scoping work on transfer costs which was undertaken during the New Waterways Charity Project indicates that the transfer of EA navigations is unlikely to be affordable in the current climate. The Government has therefore decided that the Review planned for 2013/14 to consider options for the transfer will be postponed until Defra’s finances improve and there is a realistic prospect of the transfer being affordable and that it can take place on terms which would enable CRT’s Trustees to manage the additional liabilities involved.
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You can read the single page statement here:
http://www.parliament.uk/documents/...A-Transfer-Environment-Agency-Navigations.pdf
 
I suppose some might see that as a victory and they have fought it off, but in the meantime EA funding gets cut further and the river continues to deteriorate. Short termism at its best!
 
Suspect that life on the "Royal River" is about to get a tad more expensive.The man power required to keep the present RR system has got to be funded by somebody,so its either increases in licence fees/ other funding or cuts in the service provided.
Perhaps a 8am till 4 pm lockie operated day slot and its up to you if you want to move after that ?
Time to actually read those operating instructions on the locks Perhaps !
 
Following the announcement I have received the following in a briefing note from the EA Thames waterway management:

What does this mean for the Environment Agency?
For us, this means we will carry on delivering our navigation role to the very best of our ability. We will work on the assumption, for planning purposes, that we will remain the custodian of our navigations for at least a further three years. During this time we will continue to engage staff and stakeholders in work to increase the financial sustainability of our waterways. This grows increasingly important with the continuing pressure on government funding, which we currently rely on to deliver much of our navigation work.
We will also continue to work with the Canal & River Trust, and other organisations in the Navigation field, in areas where we can see mutual benefit for the Environment Agency, partners and our customers.
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Could it be that the gap in time might provide a breathing space for:-
  • CaRT and others to discover what is to be transferred
  • Non Thames folk to understand what (if anything) makes the Thames (in particular) special
  • CaRT to understand that there may well be a can of worms
  • Sceptics (as myself) to discover that there might possibly be an advantage to a transfer?

I doubt it.
UNLESS current River users actually get off their butts and show an interest. To date any noise, positive or negative has been limited to a pitiful few. I can't see any point in campaigning if nobody shows any interest.

As with the T.W.O few complained until too late - and then made noises......
 
"As with the T.W.O few complained until too late - and then made noises......"

Biggest problem will be a lack of awareness,followed by apathy. Suspect that 99% of Thames users are not even aware that anything is changing.
How on earth do you bring the matter to the attention of Joe Motorboater and point out this will affect him ?
 
Chris_d said:
I suppose some might see that as a victory and they have fought it off, but in the meantime EA funding gets cut further and the river continues to deteriorate. Short termism at its best!
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Those who regard this as some sort of victory should think again. Only the decision itself has been deferred. The governments intent to create a single inland waterways body remains unchanged.
However for now the EA must continue to operate in something of a vacuum whilst continuing to suffer further cuts in grant aid.
 
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