Lots of trees cleared Bray - Boveney stretch

[boatone]

Been a lot of tree clearing taking place between Bray and Boveney. Pic was taken this morning looking across the river from Bray marina. Queens Eyot well cleared and cut back as well - all part of the preps for the Olympics

VERY windy - breaking waves inside the marina in the gusts. Definitely not a day to practice handling boats in windy conditions !
Oh, new licence now on display but as boat faces almost due south don't expect the orange ink to stay orange for long

 

[thamesS23]

we went out for a small trip just before xmas and noticed all the work they had done on the trees...

...couldn't help thinking it really didn't make the place look very nice.

 

[Sulley]

Went down to the boat today to check she was ok and make sure the lines and fenders were still in place.

Very windy!!

I agree with all the trees chopped down it looks a bit bare

 

[Brayman]

They'll soon grow back - and THAT's when it's important that they are kept under control.

 

[Timothy]

Upstream

What a shame that the upper reaches are so badly neglected. In august 2011 we were unable to navigate past the live aboard boats (upstream of Osney Bridge) without hitting the overgrowing willow trees on the opposite bank. In fact overgrowing trees above Oxford are now a real hazard.

 

[TrueBlue]

What a shame that the upper reaches are so badly neglected. In august 2011 we were unable to navigate past the live aboard boats (upstream of Osney Bridge) without hitting the overgrowing willow trees on the opposite bank. In fact overgrowing trees above Oxford are now a real hazard.

Quite agree.
The trees in question were cut back three (?) years ago, but being willows with an excellent food source - they've grown back again.

EA (well it probably was Thames Water) disbanded their tree cutting gang years and years ago - so there's little done on a regular basis. IMHO said trees should be pollarded properly rather than just cut back. I thinks that's what they did with the nearside trees along the stretch above Sheepwater cut.

If you complain to EA all you get is carp about "centre third of the channel" and / or similar "have to get permission / cooperation of the riparian landowner" (don't think that was an issue in previous generations).

To be fair some work has been done up and down the system, but that could possibly be due to the landowners doing it of their own accord.

Do remember that EA is broke, so won't spend lorra cash until they are squeezed painfully....

 

[2Tizwoz]

EA "have to get permission / cooperation of the riparian landowner"

Riparian landowners, on the other hand, have to get permission from the EA to do anything within five meters of the river bank.

And as for removing gravel from the river bed ...

 

[apollo]

If you complain to EA all you get is carp about "centre third of the channel" and / or similar "have to get permission / cooperation of the riparian landowner" (don't think that was an issue in previous generations).
..
Do remember that EA is broke, so won't spend lorra cash until they are squeezed painfully....

I agree, have complained often about the overhanging trees in lower lock cut at Hurley to the same response.

So, are we seriusly expected to just potter up and down the middle and never moor up anywhere?

I could be bloody minded (which is very unlike me eh Tony) and just sit squat in the middle of every lock cut whilst unable to moor up and let everyone have to avoid me....

 

[boatone]

I could be bloody minded (which is very unlike me eh Tony) and just sit squat in the middle of every lock cut whilst unable to moor up and let everyone have to avoid me....

I just love bloody minded people. They give me an opportunity to feel and look like Mr Nice Guy

 

[boatone]

Do remember that EA is broke, so won't spend lorra cash until they are squeezed painfully....

And how do you propose we do that? Government clearly not inclined to provide more money - in fact already taken £2million off 'em this year. Seems to be us that are more likely to continue being squeezed painfully - CPI + 2% for next three years for starters and that will nowhere near replace the shortfall created by government cuts - of which still more to come.

Just in case anyone hasn't been paying attention, 20% of the locks are now either without a resident lock keeper or will be in the coming months.

It really is wake-up time. Unless new sources of income are identified I fear its going to be a case of pay more or accept less.

 

[apollo]

I just love bloody minded people. They give me an opportunity to feel and look like Mr Nice Guy

Who is this Mr Nice Guy you are "feeling" and trying to "look like"???

 

[Ramage]

No more Mr Nice Guy...