CRT announce another hike in licence fees
CRT have today announced a further hike in licence fees to take place from April 2023. This a is a 9% hike and folows the increase in October making 13% by their own figures. You can read the text here Apparently they think we are made of money. No consulation of course.
So it’s goodbye from me and …..
So it’s goodbye from me and ….. After 12 years Peter Fellows hands on the baton of editorship. Another varied set of articles to end the year, with Helen Hutt describing her trip to the Medway on the 75-year old paddle steamer, Waverley, and my article on the unbelievable attitude of a local council towards […]
Meeting of the APPGW
Meeting of the APPGW Anne Husar listened in to a presentation to MPs from Richard Parry. A few observations of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Waterways’ meeting in October: there were no MPs taking part in the Zoom meeting, apart from the Chair, Michael Fabricant. One participant, Sir Robert Atkins, therefore regarded the whole […]
A busy year for the Association and an uncertain future for the waterways.
Annual Report 2022 A busy year for the Association and an uncertain future for the waterways. Mike Rodd addresses the AGM. There is a vital role for NABO in these times, when the continuing state funding of both CRT and the EA is coming up for review – right in the midst of a totally […]
TMBA Thames Boaters Survey 2022
The TMBA Non Tidal Thames Motor Boaters Survey 2022 is now online – http://www.tmba.org.uk/machform/view.php?id=19138 All Motor Boaters based on, or visiting, the Environment Agency managed non tidal Thames during 2022 are invited to participate in this survey which will remain open until 31st December. Summary results will be published on the TMBA website in January […]
CRT say canals are open for boating! Read the detail!
This is CRT’s statement. Following the temporary reopening of canals over the October half term (PR attached), I’m pleased to say that these canals are now open for boating until further notice (excluding any planned winter works). Additionally, the restrictions on the Grand Union and Oxford canals at Watford, Foxton and Braunston are being lifted […]
Public Authorities and the Public
Public Authorities and the Public Paul Monahan tries to analyse what’s wrong with CRT. I have frequent contact with several public bodies, notably the local council, the EA (flood relief, not navigation) and of course CRT. If I believed in reincarnation, I would think that I must have done something dreadful in a past life! […]
More problems due to HS2
More problems due to HS2 The HS2 (Crewe – Manchester) Bill for Phase 2b West received a second House of Commons reading in June and was referred to an HS2 Select Committee to hear petitions from those directly and specially affected. The Bill affects the Middlewich Branch and the Trent & Mersey canal. The plans […]
Waterways Ombudsman report
Waterways Ombudsman report The Waterways Ombudsman and the Waterways Ombudsman Committee have issued their Annual Reports for 2021/22. This is the third annual report of Sarah Daniel, the current Ombudsman. During the year, she received 63 enquiries, 51 of which were directly about CRT, and one concerned the Avon Navigation Trust. The others were about […]
Chair’s column Sept 22
A critical time for the canals Mike Rodd is concerned about the very existence of some of our waterways. This is THE most critical time – not only for the future of the present canal operators, the Canal and River Trust – but indeed for the whole future of our amazing waterways. I was shaken […]