Why should we pay when they moor for free?

THE permanent moorers on Sawley Cut are incensed that whilst they are paying for their moorings, there are others on the moorings that have been there for eight weeks and pay nothing, and are asking 'why should we pay when they moor for free?

The permanent moorers have no extra facilities than those that pay nothing, just a tap, yet continuous cruisers are mooring on the Cut for weeks on end, with the boat in the picture taken yesterday (Tuesday) Wit's End being moored on the lock landing for the past eight weeks, even though the space is clearly signed 'No mooring lock use only'.

Opposite water point and '48' hours notice

Readers may remember the two moored boats together running a large generator on the towpath that we featured (Pull your finger out Mr CaRT) on the 25th April, but then moved away, but once again are back in their favourite mooring opposite the water point and the notice stating '48 hour mooring only', pictured below.

There have also been complaints that the very large generator used (it can be seen covered in white plastic) could prevent access to emergency vehicles using the towpath that is designed for that purpose to serve the permanent boats at the bottom end of the moorings.

We learn that all the pair did was cruise a mile down to the moorings at Trent Lock opposite the sailing club, then after a few days cruised a mile back up river to their spot opposite the water tap on the 48 moorings once again on the Cut, where if past experience is anything to go by they will stay for the next month, until doing exactly the same again.

Complained to CaRT

What is so annoying for the permanent boaters on the Cut who pay for their moorings is that they have repeatedly complained to Canal & River Trust, but get no response other than the usual acknowledgement.  Also annoying is the fact an enforcement officer regularly cycles the towpath, taking notice of boat numbers yet completely ignores those that completely ignore the rules by staying for weeks on the 48 hours only moorings.

We were told yesterday that the matter has now gone to 'director level' whatever that means, but the Trust is completely bogged down with the continuous cruiser situation, so we cannot see anything happening.  This is all very annoying to the many genuine continuous cruisers, with these people ignoring the rules giving the real continuous cruiser a bad name, and many who do move as they should, telling us that CaRT should stop messing about with so many other things and concentrate on its supposedly core activity of boating, and get its Enforcement Manager, Paul Griffin, and his many enforcement people doing their jobs properly.