Two days to go

THERE are just two days left before the start of the official cruising season, and I am wondering if we will get to the end of the week without a stoppage, writes James Henry.

I know that some of you will think I am being somewhat hard on CaRT, but from what many of your contributors say of the condition of the canals and the never ending 'leaks' it is definitely a possibility.

Have become worse

I have been submitting items to narrowboatworld for a very long time now, right back to when I was banned for complaining too much about the magazines(!) but over the years things have become worse, I believing as many do, that getting rid of the lengthmen was the start of it all.

We are often told of the 'wonderful 200 years old canals', but British Waterways and now CaRT don't seem to realise that a 200 years old canal needs looking after, and the only way is for continuous inspection that the lengthmen did, mile upon mile day upon day.

Not know

CaRT must think people are thick if it believes they will accept that volunteers 'adopting' a length of canal can do the same. For starters they will not know the length and certainly not any failings, and most likely would not recognise a possible breach if it bit them.

Unpaid labour—for that is what volunteers are—can never replace a dedicated conscientious worker, and I am very much afraid that this season will prove it beyond any doubt.