sailorman
Well-known member
So they stole your £s
Pump-out Stations Broken
- Thread starter Teddy
- Start date
boatone
Well-known member
Following posted on FB and Twitter (@TMBA):
Sewage in the streets isn't tolerated so unacceptable that a government agency - the ENVIRONMENT AGENCY - should be so complacent and failing to keep Thames pump- out facilities for boat sewage in working order. Just not good enough EA - get 'em fixed and keep 'em working !!!
If you are a FB user please share or please ReTweet on Twitter
Sewage in the streets isn't tolerated so unacceptable that a government agency - the ENVIRONMENT AGENCY - should be so complacent and failing to keep Thames pump- out facilities for boat sewage in working order. Just not good enough EA - get 'em fixed and keep 'em working !!!
If you are a FB user please share or please ReTweet on Twitter
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boatone
Well-known member
It's just a licence fee to allow you to navigate the river. No specific services are offered in return for payment and that includes lock keepers and pump-outs.
sailorman
Well-known member
It pays the salaries of those that allegedly organise & run those waterways
apollo
...
So how come the rowers don't pay more then if its nothing to do with locks and weirs?
boatone
Well-known member
If only it were that simple. EA Thames is but a minnow in the enormity of the EA/DEFRA. What we need is a contractual Customer Charter that clearly defines the registration fees structure and entitlement in return for payment. ..... but don't hold your breath.
I would love Margaret Hodge MP (Chair - and a formidable inquisitor - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faLUxlHUUv8) and the Public Accounts Committee to call the EA to account and, on behalf of the TMBA and myself I would be delighted to be a witness!
I repeat my oft stated view that the "few" at Reading are generally trying to do their best with woefully inadequate resources - it is those further up the corridors of power that need to be challenged.
I see your profile says "Occupation:Now supported by HM government" - best not go there !
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boatone
Well-known member
Because British Rowing negotiated a block deal with the EA at National level - theres also an awful lot of them with friends in high places and they all go to the right schools
apollo
...
Because British Rowing negotiated a block deal with the EA at National level - theres also an awful lot of them with friends in high places and they all go to the right schools
Looks like they may be floating amongst other turds pretty soon then!
ianc1200
Well-known member
"No specific services are offered in return for payment and that includes lock keepers and pump-outs."
This is where it's all wrong. We pay money to use the river etc and we should get a certain standard of service. Isn't there a charter which states these standards? If there isn't there should be. Also is there an Ombudsman we should be referring these complaints to? I wonder whether we should simply withhold a proportion of the licence fees next January then wait for the EA to take us to court. I suggest the ATYC/TMBA and other interested bodies get together and work out how to withhold licence money.
Quite simply at present the EA is unfit for purpose. Don't dredge the rivers, man the locks, maintain the equipment we've paid to use. There are several liveaboards upstream of Mapledurham & whilst I don't think they should be there, they can't be blamed if they are discharging their sewage into the river.
Suggest we all start writing to our MP, and put in complaints to the EA (& from working in Local Government, I know how much these are hated as the amount of work required to answer the complaints).
This is where it's all wrong. We pay money to use the river etc and we should get a certain standard of service. Isn't there a charter which states these standards? If there isn't there should be. Also is there an Ombudsman we should be referring these complaints to? I wonder whether we should simply withhold a proportion of the licence fees next January then wait for the EA to take us to court. I suggest the ATYC/TMBA and other interested bodies get together and work out how to withhold licence money.
Quite simply at present the EA is unfit for purpose. Don't dredge the rivers, man the locks, maintain the equipment we've paid to use. There are several liveaboards upstream of Mapledurham & whilst I don't think they should be there, they can't be blamed if they are discharging their sewage into the river.
Suggest we all start writing to our MP, and put in complaints to the EA (& from working in Local Government, I know how much these are hated as the amount of work required to answer the complaints).
TT_WO
New member
Strictly speaking we do not need permission to navigate the Thames as we all have a right to use the Thames therefor we cannot be licenced to use something when that right already exists. Registration is the means by which revenue for the infrastructure is raised. No services are provided for registration other the association of a boat with an owner.
There was an objection to the IWO 2010 that there should be an implicit right granted to navigate upon registration but it was deemed unnecessary.
CJL
Member
Oh god here we go again!
boatone
Well-known member
However you dress up the words my original statement regarding the licence fee is the practical reality
"No specific services are offered in return for payment and that includes lock keepers and pump-outs."
Indeed, my understanding is that if the fee were to be a payment in return for services then VAT would likely be chargeable so that would be a 20% increase which would still not benefit the river.
I am pretty sure that C&RT licences attract VAT at 20% although the EA entitlement of a Gold Licence is zero rated.
"No specific services are offered in return for payment and that includes lock keepers and pump-outs."
Indeed, my understanding is that if the fee were to be a payment in return for services then VAT would likely be chargeable so that would be a 20% increase which would still not benefit the river.
I am pretty sure that C&RT licences attract VAT at 20% although the EA entitlement of a Gold Licence is zero rated.
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TrueBlue
Well-known member
Momentarily, Yes, but the very, very, very nice Lockie gave me a replacement card and recorded the reason for issue as machine breakdown.
Perhaps somebody at "Reading" will take notice??
sailorman
Well-known member
Hears another problem
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-27998225
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-27998225
Actionmat
Well-known member
As reported in the maidenhead advertiser: "It was not raw sewage as it had been through the early stages of the treatment process but we’re working closely with the Environment Agency to minimise the impact on the watercourse."
That's okay then, it means they've already removed the biggest lumps. Anyone who paid the EA for a pump out in the last week upstream of that should get a refund, Thames Water just fly tipped your holding tank contents.
That's okay then, it means they've already removed the biggest lumps. Anyone who paid the EA for a pump out in the last week upstream of that should get a refund, Thames Water just fly tipped your holding tank contents.
boatone
Well-known member
Sorry, but can't let you blame the EA for Thames Waters sins. Remains to be seen how TW are held to account now.
Actionmat
Well-known member
I can blame the EA, as it's not an isolated incident. They've had years to prevent Thames Water from dumping sewage in the Thames and they're the only quango with the power to do it. Baby wipes, heavy rain etc is no excuse.
If you've done the right thing and paid for a pump out but it's ended up in the Thames, what exactly have you paid for?
At least a bucket over the side would cut out the middle man.
The EA's BSS is enforced to ensure that our boats are not in a condition that could result in the pollution of the river, why do the same measures not apply to TW's equipment?
If you've done the right thing and paid for a pump out but it's ended up in the Thames, what exactly have you paid for?
At least a bucket over the side would cut out the middle man.
The EA's BSS is enforced to ensure that our boats are not in a condition that could result in the pollution of the river, why do the same measures not apply to TW's equipment?
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boatone
Well-known member
Gosh, you are a hard man, Mat ! BSS doesn't stop peeps pumping sh*t into the river. it simply ensures boat is equipped to prevent it happening but peeps still need to do the right thing. Same sort of standard procedures will be in place for Thames Water but they (TW) actually allowed the cr*p to get into the waterway. Same as boatscroats speeding, not actually the EA that are the sinners but we expect them to sort it out.
Ever wondered how much of our money (licence fees and taxes) the EA and other agencies spend on all the efforts needed to police unreasonable behaviour? Cost of the enforcement team would go a long way towards retaining full time resident lock keepers and keeping pump-outs working - go figure.
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CJL
Member
I think you'll find that Thames Water are regularly prosecuted by the EA. Baby wipes shouldn't go down the toilet but thousands of people, time after time flush them down the sewer. I have been out with Thames Water and seen them improve sewer catchments, fixing every problem possible only to have some budding DIYer do some plumbing over the weekend and then be told on Sunday morning that they need to start again and track it down and disconnect a dodgy connection by the EA or the local authority (who incidentally are also empowered to take action against such problems). Berkhamstead Sewage Works blocked up the other day, again caused by baby wipes, and spilled into the GUC. I went past near Bourne End and Thames Water were skimming sewage and putting aerators in. Is it fair that Thames Water get blamed for the sins of others? I freely agree they should be prosecuted when their failings have caused problems but when others cause it I'm not so sure.
One thing I do know is that it certainly isn't a case of Thames Water or the EA having years to solve the problem as soon as they solve a problem a home owner starts another one. It's going to be an on-gong problem that will only be tackled by education and possibly building regs.
CJL
Actionmat
Well-known member
I don't understand why they are still able to discharge into a waterway. In Victorian times maybe, but not in the 21st century.