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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2021 13:37:53 GMT
Stood on the towpath looking down into the canal which is unusually very clear. I can see why I am struggling to get my boat in, with nothing more than a 23 inch draft to moor.
Quite simply, the silt has built up to such an extent, it’s impossible to get the boat anywhere near the bank.
I’m pretty certain I’m not the only boat owner suffering from this issue. It’s also pretty certain that the Canal and River Trust will do nothing to address it.
After 8 years and almost 2 billion pounds, it’s a struggle to grasp why the canals are in such a state. You would expect such a vast amount of money to have made some sort of impact, but it obviously has not.
Uncleared submerged trees, reeds and debris frequently obstruct navigation. Add to that the complete lack of any dredging policy, and it suddenly becomes apparent how bad the situation has become, and how much it’s likely to impact the future of boating. A maintenance programme just does not exist, and wait till it breaks is not the answer.
In more recent times, the trust have been pressing local councils to participate in, and fund local towpath upgrades.
This seems very good until it becomes clear that the CRT have agreed to remove the ability of boats mooring by having the path hard surfaced to the bank edge. No rings or Armco are provided, it is becoming increasingly clear that this is a provisio of the councils when entering into the scheme, and supplies yet more evidence that this CEO seeks to disenfranchise the Trust from its navigational obligations.
The most recent example of such behaviour is the improvement of the towpath between Hawkesbury Junction and the Coventry basin. It appears that they are tarmacing right up to the edge so boaters will not be able to use pins to moor. They are not providing rings or armco which means 5 and 1/2 miles of the Coventry canal will be useless to boaters.
This is becoming a frequent issue on many parts of the canal system, and really needs to be addressed by the IWA who often adorns praise on itself for being the guardian of our waterways.
The CEO has systematically rid the Trust of its key knowledgeable workers, and replaced them with multi million pound outsourced contracts, which of course then serves to swallow up funds by adding yet another layer of cost and incurring the need for profit plus contract manager positions, (along with their perks, car cash, luncheon vouchers and pension).
The recent breaches and dam failures serve as evidence to suggest that the present system being implemented by this CEO are not beneficial to the canal system and its future.
Richard Parry upon taking up his position stated publicly in the early days his intention of making the Trust accountable and open. In fact, the past three years has seen him build a virtual wall around himself and the Trust, using public funding to silence critics and court outcomes. Using legal firms to threaten and bully people who voice an opposing opinion, or throw a little rant on social media.
This is not a good front for the canal and river trust, perhaps it’s time Mr Parry moved on.
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Post by JohnV on Jan 15, 2021 13:52:20 GMT
Good post.
I despair of seeing the canals run properly. I remember the hopes of those early days but how quickly those hopes have been dashed.
The recent situation on the Aire and Calder, taking out that canal, the New Junction canal and putting a crimp in the dock system at Goole is catastrophic.
An established oil traffic by barge stopped with the resultant road traffic causing major congestion in Rotherham.
The infant gravel traffic to Leeds, already struggling with un dredged waterways reducing the working load they can carry, stopped before it can even get started properly.
The important international trade brought almost to a halt because of low water levels in Goole docks.
and it all sits on Parry's doorstep
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Post by Isambard Kingdom Brunel on Jan 15, 2021 14:15:23 GMT
I have been accused of C&RT knocking in the past but it seems that more are now coming to the same opinion that I have held for a long time.
Question is, guys, What Do We Do About It?
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Post by JohnV on Jan 15, 2021 15:18:52 GMT
perhaps of interest in view of the general feelings
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2021 15:39:04 GMT
Just drain all the water out and build houses or blocks of flats on the land.
We need more housing.
And cycleways. You could do nice cycle tunnels with pedestrian walkway above.
Maybe even keep a 5ft wide waterway for ducks and water transfer.
The land on which the canals are placed is more useful for other things than pleasure boating and slum housing.
It's just land. Land use changes over time it's all part of progress and modernisation.
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Post by greenman on Jan 15, 2021 17:23:38 GMT
No better north of the border. Scottish Canals try to control where people moor but do zero maintenance. What makes matters worse is they own all the leisure and residential moorings which are all falling into disrepair.
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Post by Isambard Kingdom Brunel on Jan 15, 2021 19:07:57 GMT
No better north of the border. Scottish Canals try to control where people moor but do zero maintenance. What makes matters worse is they own all the leisure and residential moorings which are all falling into disrepair. See wee Berny! Don't hold much hope from this country, we are in the same boat.
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Post by metanoia on Jan 15, 2021 20:17:42 GMT
Just received this one (had to invent an internet name to receive stoppage notices yet somehow my licence reminder came through to my proper email address - how DO they do that?!):-
"Update on 15/01/2021: Please be advised, following further inspection it is no longer a breach but a significant leak at Bridge 80, Bennetts Bridge, navigation remains closed between Bridge 79, Moss Hall and Bridge 82, Coole Lane on the Shropshire Union Canal. Our engineer is onsite and stop planks are being installed at Bridge 80 to enable our team to apply clay to the affected area. A further update will be provided this afternoon. "
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2021 20:25:18 GMT
Just received this one (had to invent an internet name to receive stoppage notices yet somehow my licence reminder came through to my proper email address - how DO they do that?!):- "Update on 15/01/2021: Please be advised, following further inspection it is no longer a breach but a significant leak at Bridge 80, Bennetts Bridge, navigation remains closed between Bridge 79, Moss Hall and Bridge 82, Coole Lane on the Shropshire Union Canal. Our engineer is onsite and stop planks are being installed at Bridge 80 to enable our team to apply clay to the affected area. A further update will be provided this afternoon. "
Amazing what you can do with words. Fair play though, looks like the workers are on their way.
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Post by Trina on Jan 15, 2021 20:30:03 GMT
Right by our marina,the marina have put stop planks across the entrance.Our neighbour(who keeps an eye on our boat,as do the marina staff) sent a few piccies this morning.
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Post by thebfg on Jan 15, 2021 20:48:23 GMT
Right by our marina,the marina have put stop planks across the entrance.Our neighbour(who keeps an eye on our boat,as do the marina staff) sent a few piccies this morning. I saw their post. At least they are on the ball.
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Post by thebfg on Jan 15, 2021 20:58:58 GMT
Its not just CRT but lorry drivers are having a go at destroying it too. Hassell Green. Today. Stolen from Facebook
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2021 21:13:00 GMT
To quote a former neighbour of mine
That's not ideal!
They should have repaired the barrier -after- recovering the vehicle.
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Post by Trina on Jan 15, 2021 23:36:38 GMT
Its not just CRT but lorry drivers are having a go at destroying it too. Hassell Green. Today. Stolen from Facebook Whattttttt ?😯
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2021 3:15:49 GMT
Or Photoshop.
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