Using The Thames

[boatone]

As another thread here seems to be well and truly tied up with angst against the Environment Agency maybe I could raise another authority related issue regarding use of the river. How many of us would have visited the Dome (there - I've said it) if the powers that be had thought fit to provide something as radical as VISITORS MOORINGS at Greenwich.

boatone@boatsonthethames.co.uk

 

[ChrisP]

If you wanted to go to the dome South dock, St Katherines Dock, and Lime house were all there waiting for you. Think carefully about the logistics of putting moorings there and then damage from the passing traffic while you were in the dome and you'll see what a daft idea it would have been. Face it the dome was an ill thought out government white elephant.

 

[Geoffs]

That would have been a good idea wouldn't it. But I don't think it would have brought in the 6 million extra visitors needed make the place pay. If it did, the moorings would have been pretty crowded!

I took my daughter to the Dome and went by boat - River Bus.

 

[boatone]

There, I've got you to change the subject - but you're still being very aggressive. Less red meat and more ovaltine might help - or maybe you should get out on the boat more. (Go on, say thats wrong as well!!)

boatone@boatsonthethames.co.uk

 

[suzanne]

As a Leisure and Recreation student you can imagine that the dome has come into topic of discussion many times and I have said that river users may have visited more if there had been visitors moorings outside, but Dad (ChrisP) is right, the boats would have been bounced and ripped to buggery. If your familiar with the Thames you'll know the speed and wash of the trippers down that end and just how inconsiderate they are. As for the dome being a waste of space, I've done two essays now with the similar theme of whether it was a good or bad idea and after completing weeks of research on both I see along with many others that YES it was a BAD idea and I've got proof! Basically Dad has a point, leave us to tell him he's a miserable old git.

Suzanne xXx

 

[byron]

Purely as a point of interest. The tidal Thames is administered by the Port of london Authority. Not Envag. Now if you really want to bitch. What about RNLI funding 3 fully manned Lifeboats down there - why? by the time they launch and reach the casualty the PLA or Police will have dealt with the matter. Of course the Met Police might use this as a perfect excuse to reduce the amount of craft the run. There !!!! a whole new can of worms.

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[Guest]

As others have mentioned, yacht or motor boat mooring buoys would have been impracticable in the tideway. However my boat was temporarily in Limehouse Dock which was the answer: not many minutes via Docklands Light and Jubilee lines. The building of the Dome was impressive, but the content (now thankfully removed) was demeaning, patronizing, politically correct and brought shame on this nation.

 

[ChrisP]

Yet another kneejerk reaction from a government who's closest connection to the maritime comunity is the failed cabin boy Prescot. If the correct funding had been applied the police at Wapping, Waterloo, and Barns (now defunct due to lack of funds) and the Firebrigade at Westminster (all of whome have been full trained in search and rescue). Could have delt with any incedent, as they always have.

 

[boatone]

Both this topic and Kates EnvAg thread have a common baseline - ie using the river. I do know that the tidal Thames is adminned by the PLA rather than the EA but that adds to the diversity of the problem (althoiugh I am very happy to accept the real difference in the nature of the tidal and non-tidal stretches that probably requires different attitudes to admin).
Lets be honest, the whole issue of the river is not writ large in the minds of most of the population at large so any real change is only likely to be achieved through the activities and lobbying of special interest groups. Trouble is the special interest groups themselves are in many cases apathetic or dominated by relatively small minorities who often fail to see the wider picture and its rare that they actually get their act together and act in concert.
I have previously asked how many of you have approached your MP's over river issues - no responses but I suspect the answer is virtually nil.
Kim - How about hosting a conference on the issue and inviting every MP with a constituency interest in the Thames to form the Thames Parliamentary group? (or is there such a thing already which needs kickstarting?)
This whole question is only likely to be looked at cohesively if the river can be elevated in status to that of 'National Asset'. Otherwise, against the greater population interest in (say)Railtrack and the roads I suspect the status quo will continue or even decline further in the light of more pressing interests on Government and LA funding etc


boatone@boatsonthethames.co.uk