Thames users blamed for CRT transfer delay.

I wouldn't read too much into it.

This appears to be matters of opinion, rather than proved fact. Some pompous idiot in the IWA, if quoted correctly, appears to have an issue with Motor boaters however!

Mild propaganda, as everybody wriggles out of the blame game IMHO...
 
As with all stories of this type, where little bits of truth get amalgamated with big doses of fiction, the reality is more likely that government didn't relish the double dose of aggravation that transferring BW and the EA waterways to the C&RT in one fell swoop would likely generate. My personal take is that the intention was to transfer the EA waterways once C&RT had found its feet and was ready for the additional challenge but that "the plan", if there was one, was scuppered by the rapid onset of the austerity cuts across all Whitehall departments leaving Defra with insufficient funding to agree a further dowry to facilitate the transfer.
Also more difficult now as the C&RT, as a charitable trust, also needs to ensure that any deal to take on the EA waterways brings with it enough additional funding to ensure the increased responsibilities don't put the trust at risk.

However, .... given the now established existence of a charitable trust called the Canal and Rivers Trust where, as government, would you eventually want to put the EA rivers ?

The irony is that the C&RT have a secured level of government funding for the next ten years or so while the EA managed waterways will continue to suffer further reductions in Grant in Aid funding year on year accompanied by further increases in licence fees and reduction in services.
 
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This article seems to partly blame Thames boaters for the delay of the transfer of EA waters to the CRT, do you think this is fair/true?
Click to expand...

This totally erroneous idea could not have been inspired by the fears of some hard pressed and short of resources Thames boaters that some of "their" funding
might be squandered on the undeserving oiks on other less wonderful waterways if they joined CART. :) Surely Not !
 
I was under the impression that represenatation from the ATYC in conjunction with other Thames Navagation User Forum members with Ministers was the reason for the rethink. Irrespective, surely if additional funding were available for the Canal and River Trust to take on the Thames management – it would be better given to the E.A who are already being subject to reduced Grant in Aid ?
 
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