Taking over the Great Ouse

A J FARTHING describes Peter Ford's comments as a 'diatribe' [the Great Ouse Boating Association wanting the Canal & River Trust to take it over] whether others will attach that description to a factual account of the situation is up to them, writes Tony Collins.

But he should know that although CaRT may have other funding streams open to them, sadly such funds that are made available tend to be spent on things other than the 'track'. Cycleways, prettying up honey pot sites etc. However even these are now getting ignored.

Wait till it breaks

I was shocked to see the condition of the historic Horsley Bridge over the entrance to the marina at Braunston recently; brickwork cracking, falling away and leaving holes left unrepaired. Mr Farthing should avail himself of the knowledge of one of his fellow members who has first-hand experience of the 'wait till it breaks and then appeal for money to repair it' philosophy that CaRT employs these days. Such philosophy causes the utmost inconvenience to boaters stuck the 'wrong' side of the problem.

Gone are the days when the winter maintenance programme saw most of the major problems averted through preventative work. Boaters would put up with winter closures in the knowledge that every effort was being made to ensure a trouble free boating season. Now quite a simple problem can cause disproportionate disruption, but that is passed off as 'unexpected failure'. Proper observance would in the past, I suggest, have made that a 'potential failure' and a pre-emptive strike would have removed the 'surprise' element of many a failure.

Up to the job?

Sadly CaRT's top management are simply not up to the job. David Cameron's 'Bonfire of the Quangos' burnt one too many when British Waterways was dismantled. There is a piscatorial aroma around the setting up of CaRT particularly at the level of head honchos' salaries and the personnel involved. There is a saying that you get what you pay for. In CaRT's case I think that may be proved by the exception.