The Olympics and London's waterways

Thamesbank

Thamesbank

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www.thamesbank.org.uk
The Olympics and London\'s waterways

Anyone working to promote the river in the Olympics?
We went up the Lee long before the bid was won and documented the state of the place. What a mess.
Interested to hear if anyone out there is involved in advising on river issues (esp. boat issues) for the Olympics.

Gary
 
Re: The Olympics and London\'s waterways

Managed an explore up the Lee recently - passing the lock and staying on the tidal bit we got as far as Eel Pie Island (yes, the other one!) by the raw sewage discharge point, before the shopping trolleys and assorted junk made it advisable to go back.

I sincerely hope this stretch of water gets to realise its potential - you could get hundreds of moorings up here, slips etc

And Eel Pie island itself is just overgrown and derelict, with the shells of the old processing plant just collapsing in on themselves. Ideal site for a new marina, I would have thought.

Barking Creek is another unrealised asset.
 
Re: The Olympics and London\'s waterways

May I broaden this thread?

Have you realised the seriousness of the cutbacks announced in waterways funding? Apparently it is due to EU fines because we have not paid our share in other areas.
For more info look at
http://www.saveourwaterways.org.uk
This will affect keeping waterways open, never mind cleaning up! It also leads to cutbacks in funding for coastal protection.
Not that I have a vested interest (he said dragging sandbanks onto the front doorstep.)
Action please.

CJH
 
DEFRA cuts

It seems that the cuts will primarily affect British Waterways.
This is obviously a disaster for all areas covered by them, but while BWB are charged with the Lee, they do not have financial obligations to the olympic plans for the waterways as far as I know.
The olympic site will be funded by the ODA I believe (who are busily screwing Londoners and the lottery for money. See the VAT issue today) so I'm not sure how the defra cuts will affect the olympic site, the Lee and the Thames.
That said, I support the campaign to stop the cuts. BWB have been making money as property developers along the canals to finance their operations and should not be forced to sell up even more land!
 
Re: DEFRA cuts

There is a Lee & Stort Yacht Club. Perhaps they can provide some valuable information. I don't have their address.
 
Re: DEFRA cuts

I understand that the impact is much wider than just British Waterways - the Environmental Agency will also be affected. For example, I was very interested in Andrew's log about the Medway recently and he kindly sent more pics and info. BUT the lock outside Tunbridge needs repair and funds are not forthcoming.
That is the sort of situation we should be protesting about - and time has nearly run out before crucial debate in the Commons.
 
Re: DEFRA cuts

Hi Colin,

If the debate you're referring to is the one that was supposed to happen tomorrow, see MBM's newsdesk.

Parliament goes on recess at the end of the week, so all Wednesday's debates have been cancelled.

On the plus side, I spoke to Charlotte Atkins today. She's the MP who originally put forward the Early Day Motion bringing attention to the DEFRA grant cuts and their impact on BW and the EA.

She was quite upbeat about it all, and believes a concerted campaign could get DEFRA to reinstate the funding. She's had ministerial experience, so knows the best way to get issues like this pushed up the agenda. Even though she's Labour, she was quite happy to have a go at DEFRA's handling of the entire affair.

Will post details of the re-scheduled debate when I get them.

Stewart
 
Re: DEFRA cuts

Primarily affect the british waterways!!!

May I suggest you read all the early messages in this forum?

The EA/Thames is where this forum came from and the cuts will affect us just as much, in fact we already have 12% rises for the next three years whereas British Waterways has announced much smaller increases.

Although I have sympathy for the canal boaters, they already have protests and a web page organised.
 
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