Waterways Ombudsman

[boatone]

Are you aware that there is a Waterways Ombudsman?

According to the website

The Waterways Ombudsman investigates complaints about British Waterways in England and Wales (until 1 July 2012) and the Canal & River Trust (from 2 July 2012). That includes complaints about their subsidiaries (such as British Waterways Marinas Limited – BWML).

So, not of any help whatsoever to us EA navigations waterways users who have absolutely no independent authority to turn to if we are dissatisfied with the management of the waterways.

We can, of course, complain to the Parliamentary Ombudsman but why oh why should there be a Waterways Ombudsman that is unable to provide oversight of the EA Navigations?

Clearly another issue to be pursued by the TMBA !

http://www.waterways-ombudsman.org

 

[byron]

Sounds common sense to me. An Ombudsman for all not just the non-flowing waterways.

 

[CJL]

That's not true.

The EA is responsible to the Parliamentary Ombudsman - http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/contactus/36316.aspx

CJL

 

[macnorton]

Sounds common sense to me. An Ombudsman for all not just the non-flowing waterways.

You know you're not allowed to criticise the EA, PR man will be along soon to explain the error of your ways.

 

[boatone]

The EA is responsible to the Parliamentary Ombudsman - http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/contactus/36316.aspx
CJL

I recognised that in my original post, However I still maintain that it is absolutely crazy to have a Waterways Ombudsman that cannot exercise authority over EA Waterways.

 

[CJL]

I recognised that in my original post, However I still maintain that it is absolutely crazy to have a Waterways Ombudsman that cannot exercise authority over EA Waterways.

Why should they?

The Agency manages rivers and everything that comes with them not just navigations so they perform a different role and have different obligations. Ploughing it all into one organisation wont fit what the EA does.

Interestingly enough the Parliamentary Ombudsman has a lot more power to investigate and make good if any problems come up.

CJL