Parliamentary group report on C&RT progress

boatone

boatone

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www.tmba.org.uk
From C&RT website:
https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/news...report-on-our-progress?Social Media=&Twitter=

Also see actual report - reference to EA waterways on Page 10:
https://www.waterways.org.uk/pdf/appg_waterways_inquiry_into_crt
Should the Transfer Proceed?
The APPG heard from Dan Rogerson MP, the Inland Waterways Minister, who stated that it was still the Government's intention that the EA's navigations should be transferred to CRT. However, the Minister made it clear that, in terms of funding, the transfer is not a priority for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and there is no funding for the transfer in the 2015/16 Spending Review.
Both CRT and the EA are happy for the transfer to proceed. CRT Chairman, Tony Hales, said that CRT would still like to take on these navigations. Paul Leinster, the EA's Chief Executive, stated that its navigations are viewed with a high degree of importance but they are "content to see them go". This suggests that all three major parties (Government, CRT and the EA) are happy for the transfer to go ahead.The Inquiry also heard from CRT's Chief Executive, Richard Parry, who believes that through the use of volunteering and CRT's management experience they will be able to run the transferred navigations at "equal or lower cost." These potential savings suggest that transferring the navigations would have a positive benefit for the taxpayer.
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Who says their management skills are any better or worse than the EA? Do we have any evidence to support the assumption?

If they do take over they will need to be able to recruit more Volunteers to ensure the weekends are fully covered. And where does that leave the Resident Lock and Weir Keepers?
 
As with everything nowadays -
The actual users' wishes will be ignored (consultations are often a scam)
Who does what? EA looks after the water? and CaRT the locks?

In reality I expect there will be little savings if you consider reduced costs for EA plus new costs for CaRT.

What will get lost is EAs management structure - assuming CaRT tries to dump the lockies, patrols and related staff, turning the River into a sad ditch, rather than the special place that it is.
 
I suspect the houses will remain EA assets along with the weirs as they have a value and will still be needed for flood defense reasons (a relatively "gold plated function") for the EA and Defra.

The lock keepers will eventually go as its not possible to defend one bit of CRT having lock keepers and the rest not . Then before you know it your first request for a "donation" on top of your annual licence will be in the post!!!

CJL
 
CJL said:
The lock keepers will eventually go as its not possible to defend one bit of CRT having lock keepers and the rest not .
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But that is exactly what we have with the EA. We have no lock keepers on the Great Ouse other than at the 2 sea locks, and only 3 River Inspectors - yes 3 - to cover 175 miles of waterway. Transfer to CaRT now please.
 
mikemanor said:
But that is exactly what we have with the EA. We have no lock keepers on the Great Ouse other than at the 2 sea locks, and only 3 River Inspectors - yes 3 - to cover 175 miles of waterway. Transfer to CaRT now please.
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+ me! I was going to say exactly the same thing.
 
TrueBlue said:
As with everything nowadays -
The actual users' wishes will be ignored (consultations are often a scam)
Who does what? EA looks after the water? and CaRT the locks?

In reality I expect there will be little savings if you consider reduced costs for EA plus new costs for CaRT.

What will get lost is EAs management structure - assuming CaRT tries to dump the lockies, patrols and related staff, turning the River into a sad ditch, rather than the special place that it is.
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I have posted previously that I do not see why if the Government has to provide further funds to the C&RT that those funds can't be given to the E.A. rather than cut their Grant in Aid. I still feel that the Thames boaters will lose on a transfer.
 
534l4rk said:
I still feel that the Thames boaters will lose on a transfer.
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I think you are right.... the Thames EA waterway has always had better facilities, better management and organisation, more staff and cheaper licences than other EA waterways. Probably due to the management set up and funding pre-EA. The Gt Ouse and other EA waterways have been run down to a shoestring. They still have weirs, they still have locks and they still have a very important part to play in flood management. BUT, they are operated by a few (count them on one hand) members of staff in vans.
The halcyon days are over.... welcome to permanent austerity. The stark reality is that in a few short years there will be no visible staff on the Thames. No lock keepers, inspectors or patrols. Just a call centre number, manned by know nothings. Oh yes, the licence fee will probably jump up by a significant percentage too!!
 
CJL said:
The lock keepers will eventually go as its not possible to defend one bit of CRT having lock keepers and the rest not . Then before you know it your first request for a "donation" on top of your annual licence will be in the post!!!

CJL
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The locks on the R. Trent (C&RT) are manned April to October .
The tidal locks are manned all year . The tidal locks cannot be boater operated.
Not manned 24 hrs and booking in advance is required at some of the tidal locks .

I haven't been asked for a donation to the C&RT.
 
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