boatone
Well-Known Member
Last night at RUG 8
I attended the meeting last night as a representative of the TMBA but I thought you would all like to hear my observations as the issues raised affect every one of us.
The meeting was well attended by various interested parties and there was a remarkably strong presence from the EA including Matt Carter, Andrew Graham who has responsibility for the volunteer programme, the new Team Leader for the Teddington to Bell Weir stretch, Jim Overy and several others including at least one lock keeper ( although not from the RUG 8 stretch).
Matt Carter gave an illuminating report of the trials of managing the river during the last year or so under the worst sustained flood conditions that have been experienced in recent memory. Many boats have finished up on weirs. A narrow boat sank and blocked Godstow bridge but was finally removed last weekend and navigation has now been restored. There have been numerous incidents involving boats navigating under extreme conditions and even people getting into difficulty and actually swimming in the vicinity of the weirs. A rowing eight and an accompanying coaching boat got into difficulties at Sunbury, the rowing eight itself and one of its crew were swept over and through the weir - thankfully all the people were recovered safely although the craft was destroyed. Considerable anger was evident from the floor that this happened in red board conditions.
The police and the EA reported on progress relating to illegal mooring and licence evasion and there have been many notices served both by local authorities and the EA as well as arrests for drug and other offences. Last year the EA claim to have inspected over 9000 boats and discovered an average licence evasion rate of approximately 10% although it would appear the rate is considerably higher in marinas. Those who complain about the congregation above Teddington lock cut will be pleased to know that there has been a major combined operation by the Met Police Marine Unit, the local authority and the EA including inspection for Boat Safety Certificate infringements.
MIchael Shefras reported briefly that the Lock House Study has been given a further 12 months to gather information so that will not now report until spring 2014.
There were several other matters including interesting input re hydropower, fisheries and progress re Walton Bridge.
However, the most sobering information was that the EA Thames budget for next year will be further reduced. The capital programme will be maintained but the revenue and maintenance budget, primarily staff costs and essential maintenance, is facing a cut of some £700k or more in government funding and grant in aid.
I attended the meeting last night as a representative of the TMBA but I thought you would all like to hear my observations as the issues raised affect every one of us.
The meeting was well attended by various interested parties and there was a remarkably strong presence from the EA including Matt Carter, Andrew Graham who has responsibility for the volunteer programme, the new Team Leader for the Teddington to Bell Weir stretch, Jim Overy and several others including at least one lock keeper ( although not from the RUG 8 stretch).
Matt Carter gave an illuminating report of the trials of managing the river during the last year or so under the worst sustained flood conditions that have been experienced in recent memory. Many boats have finished up on weirs. A narrow boat sank and blocked Godstow bridge but was finally removed last weekend and navigation has now been restored. There have been numerous incidents involving boats navigating under extreme conditions and even people getting into difficulty and actually swimming in the vicinity of the weirs. A rowing eight and an accompanying coaching boat got into difficulties at Sunbury, the rowing eight itself and one of its crew were swept over and through the weir - thankfully all the people were recovered safely although the craft was destroyed. Considerable anger was evident from the floor that this happened in red board conditions.
The police and the EA reported on progress relating to illegal mooring and licence evasion and there have been many notices served both by local authorities and the EA as well as arrests for drug and other offences. Last year the EA claim to have inspected over 9000 boats and discovered an average licence evasion rate of approximately 10% although it would appear the rate is considerably higher in marinas. Those who complain about the congregation above Teddington lock cut will be pleased to know that there has been a major combined operation by the Met Police Marine Unit, the local authority and the EA including inspection for Boat Safety Certificate infringements.
MIchael Shefras reported briefly that the Lock House Study has been given a further 12 months to gather information so that will not now report until spring 2014.
There were several other matters including interesting input re hydropower, fisheries and progress re Walton Bridge.
However, the most sobering information was that the EA Thames budget for next year will be further reduced. The capital programme will be maintained but the revenue and maintenance budget, primarily staff costs and essential maintenance, is facing a cut of some £700k or more in government funding and grant in aid.
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