THERE is little doubt that an organisation starting its life by exaggerating will do little to impress.
The new 'Fund Britain's Waterways' preaching that not only does the Canal & River Trust save the NHS over £1,000,000,000 but has been quantified as saving over £6,000,000,000 from active use of the waterways and towpaths!
Yes, my friends, over £6bn! Can't see many in authority—who it hopes to impress to get CaRT more funds—being overly inspired by such a ridiculous statement.
Not when there is so much in the National Press of attacks, drownings and even killings on the towpaths. And notwithstanding the distress caused to boaters by hold-ups and the struggles with difficult locks and their gear, and sinkings.
Never mentioned by CaRT, or its followers of course.
Out—but perhaps not about
CaRT has been good enough to tell that it has 12 waterways under repair this week-end, so it could be an idea to think if getting about on the following:
Bridgwater & Taunton Canal
Chesterfield Canal
Dee branch (Shropshire Union Canal)
Huddersfield Narrow Canal
Kennet & Avon Canal
Lancaster Canal
Leeds & Liverpool Canal
Oxford Canal
Peak Forest Canal
Prescott Channel
Rochdale Canal
Weaver Navigation.
Regrettably, it failed to mention where on these waterways was under repair.
The Leeds & Liverpool could be a bit of a risk as it has recently issued stoppage notices of three closures—making 10 this month on this particular canal.
One thing for sure—it certainly needs money.
Victor Swift—telling tales for 23 years.
[Error: Most sorry, for naming 'Fund British's Waterways'—it is Fund Britain's waterways.]