James Henry is back!

OUR CONTRIBUTOR, James Henry, was one of our very first, but gave up boating, and now we have learnt he was abroad, but he has now returned, and writes:

It is a good many years since I was boating on the waterways, and in those days of British Waterways I had a lot to say on various subjects concerning the waterways, and should you allow, would like to air a few views.

I must say that I am aghast at the state of the waterways today and their terrible condition, and really have problems understanding how one can actually plan a cruise.

I know I would not try, and though I once thought I once more would enjoy my declining years with a narrowboat, but not on the canals as they are today, and to read that there were 298 stoppages last year alone, mostly of things breaking, there is no way.

When I left the waterways to go abroad British Waterways had reopened the entire Huddersfield Narrow and the same with the Rochdale, but read about their terrible condition now under Canal & River Trust. The the Droitwich was reopened onto the Severn again.  But before this I remember the Queen reopening the Kennet & Avon and well remembering the picture of condition of that famous Caen Hill Flight before it was again rebuilt connecting the Thames to Bristol. (Perhaps you still have it?)

Then the next restoration was to be of the Thames & Severn Canal leaving the Thames at Lechlade, but one of the first things the new Canal & River Trust did was to scrap it—and an end to any further restorations.

Then I learn it started spending on things that did not include the waterways, needing more staff to undertake, whilst as you all obviously know, spending nothing on maintenance, and I hearing about the ways of contrators, so all in all leaving them wanting more cash, that I don't believe they will get!

In fact I understand there is a possibility of closures if no money is forthcoming from the government.

So alas, I will not be risking it.