Fixing the inherited problems

ROME was not built in a day. The problems that Richard Parry has inherited from his predecessor will take much longer to fix, writes Kevin McNiff.

 

The good news is that he has engaged with boaters over the past 12 months. I had contact with him a year ago by email before he took up post on matters with vegetation (un)control on the South Oxford; I met him at Banbury and most recently at our Russell Newbery Rally in Ellesmere Port—he remembered me and my vegetation concerns. I cannot be alone in believing that Richard Parry is listening to boaters, their concerns and aspirations.

Master stroke

The recent appointment of Dean Davies as interim Head of Customer Service is a master stroke; Dean has been so proactive with boaters in the Midlands and probably been the catalyst for getting office based staff out on boats—the Buddy Initiative. He saw and felt the pinch points on the BCN and then sent spot dredging crews to deal with them.

The ongoing issues with illegal/continuous/moorers is going to take a long time to sort out. The recent announcement by 'Friends of Castle Mill Stream' is a joke. The stream is a ditch and has been occupied for years since the EA are not interested in sorting out the problem. You can view this 'des res' from any train into or out of Oxford station. Not worth column inch coverage!

CaRT managed facility

I have just made an epic trip from the Shropshire Union at Ellesmere Port to Liverpool via the Mersey, and am moored in an amazing CaRT managed facility at Salthouse Dock. Friends of ours who have since left and gone to Wigan and Manchester report good moorings and not too much litter or 'scallies' The dock here is full every day.

As an experienced retired customer service manager, I know that Richard's style of 'Managing by Walking About' will result in change . . . . but will take time. Give him a chance, please.