Better the devil you know!

JUST had my copy of GOBA [Great Ouse Boating Association] News with the normal praise for the possibility of Canal & River Trust taking over the river, but I think they are living in a dream world, writes James Henry.

There are always the moans about the Environmental Agency letting a lock or two get into bad condition and that it all should be in the hands of Canal & River Trust. They don't know it but that is one organisation they most certainly cannot trust.

Should think again

They think it will be better under the latter, but six stoppages in one week on its canals and the Kennet & Avon alone now having 12 stoppages since the end of July, they should think again.

And as to their beloved weed cutters, don't they realise that should Canal & River Trust take over they will immediately be sold off?  It sold off all its equipment even its tools, relying on contractors, which is why there now is no day to day maintenance and stoppages happen nearly every day—in one instance four times a day.  Is that what the boaters of the Great Ouse want.

I have only one bit of advice—better the devil you know!