|
Post by Allan on Mar 1, 2017 8:23:13 GMT
There was never any right of pedestrian public access to towpaths, in general, let alone cyclists. Free access to the towpaths for both pedestrians and cyclists was one of the significant changes in administrative policy agreed between government and CaRT as part of the price for CaRT’s liberation from effective oversight. Those interested in all this should read the “EXPLANATORY DOCUMENT TO THE BRITISH WATERWAYS BOARD (TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS) ORDER 2012 2012 No. 1659.” “In addition the Government and CRT trustees decided to protect free pedestrian access by means of an explicit safeguard in the Trust Obligations. This protects the status quo, i.e. the right of free pedestrian access on existing towpaths, subject to certain pragmatic qualifications (i.e. for operational/maintenance purposes and control of access at some tourist sites). As the majority of towpaths are not currently public rights of way and access is permitted at British Waterways’ discretion, this is a significant new protection. It was agreed that CRT would publish policies on free access for pedestrians and cyclists.” [my bold] www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2012/1659/pdfs/uksiem_20121659_en.pdfConsequent upon this policy change, much of the towpath "improvements" into cycling highways has been driven and financed by highway authorities. CaRT have little to say about it. The Memorandum of Understanding between Defra and C&RT section 13.2 mentions cyclists and pedestrians - www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/183230/Canal-rivers-MOU.pdf
|
|
|
Post by NigelMoore on Mar 1, 2017 10:57:38 GMT
The MOU is also rather good material for establishing what both CaRT and DEFRA consider to comprise the MNC - dimensions of which have been fixed, but which can now be diminished [or, theoretically, enlarged] on request after 'consultation'.
|
|
|
Post by Allan on Mar 1, 2017 11:27:37 GMT
The MOU is also rather good material for establishing what both CaRT and DEFRA consider to comprise the MNC - dimensions of which have been fixed, but which can now be diminished [or, theoretically, enlarged] on request after 'consultation'. No doubt C&RT take this to mean that they can both diminish the MNC for navigation and increase it for licencing without, any discussion or permission whatsoever ...
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2017 11:38:14 GMT
I'm intrigued about the minimum navigable channel. If for example CRT install a pontoon with moorings and boats moor against them the channel width is reduced. If there is some sort of minimum xhannel width requirement then what happens if a boat moors opposite on the towpath side? This happens for example at some London moorings and I'm pretty sure the channel width is regularly reduced very severely.
Would a boat reducing the channel width be deemed an obstruction?
|
|
|
Post by NigelMoore on Mar 1, 2017 11:49:06 GMT
I'm intrigued about the minimum navigable channel. If for example CRT install a pontoon with moorings and boats moor against them the channel width is reduced. If there is some sort of minimum xhannel width requirement then what happens if a boat moors opposite on the towpath side? This happens for example at some London moorings and I'm pretty sure the channel width is regularly reduced very severely. Would a boat reducing the channel width be deemed an obstruction? Not necessarily. A boat would only be deemed an obstruction if it reduced the "minimum operational channel" [which could be said to equate to the "main navigable channel".] Any moored boat online reduces the available channel width, without necessarily impeding navigation. If boats of the designed dimensions could not pass, then an obstruction would arise, not otherwise.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2017 13:00:13 GMT
Thanks for that. Is it just the width of one vessel or does the channel need to be wide enough for two to pass? I would assume the latter.
|
|
|
Post by NigelMoore on Mar 1, 2017 13:47:43 GMT
Thanks for that. Is it just the width of one vessel or does the channel need to be wide enough for two to pass? I would assume the latter. The minimum navigable channel in some instances will be the former (according to original enabling Acts, not necessarily according to CaRT), but more generally the latter. The latter will always be the main navigable channel as per the 1968 & 1971 Acts, but even there, how much leeway should be factored in additionally to the boat widths to facilitate passage past each other, remains debatable. For dredging purposes, BW/CaRT favoured a scarce few inches, where Fraenkel's favoured optimum was far more, to account for water flows between vessels in the interests of greatest efficiencies.
|
|
|
Post by Jim on Mar 3, 2017 17:18:59 GMT
Bought all the kit
|
|
|
Post by thebfg on Mar 3, 2017 19:00:58 GMT
You mamil. To be honest I don't know what the fascination with people who wear lycra is. I don't normally but have been known to on a hard long ride. I wear a footie kit to play football and no one bats an eye lid and I wear a replica saints top to matches. No one calls me anything for it.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2017 19:04:51 GMT
I like Lycra!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 4, 2017 8:39:06 GMT
Under or over the beige cardigan?
|
|
|
Post by bargemast on Mar 4, 2017 10:36:11 GMT
Bought all the kit You've bought all the kit, and I'm planning on buying the right bicycle for the towpath, to ride together with some friends, instead of being on my own on the bike
Peter.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 4, 2017 11:38:57 GMT
Bought all the kit You've bought all the kit, and I'm planning on buying the right bicycle for the towpath, to ride together with some friends, instead of being on my own on the bike
Peter.
Very sociable. My latest wheeled transport is one of these Have had an hour on it but not got the balance yet. When I do sort it I will bracket a small brushless motor friction drive to it so I don't have to kick. Because I am lazy. Yes I know its ridiculous
|
|
|
Post by Jim on Mar 4, 2017 11:47:15 GMT
I prefer one with a good view as for that scooty thing, you'll get one big leg, doesnt look like you can put both feet on.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 4, 2017 11:59:29 GMT
I prefer one with a good view View Attachmentas for that scooty thing, you'll get one big leg, doesnt look like you can put both feet on. You can put two feet on its symmetrical. I can see that one leg would be dominant tgough. I'm planning to mount my 3.5 inch brushless motor which runs my bmx at 15mph on 12v with the motor directly rubbing the wheel. Should be quite good once I've got the balance. The main problem is the actual scooting. Once its electric its going to be much easier.
|
|