One step forward...
ONCE again, John Dodwell sticks his head above the parapet. Very much appreciated and thanks to narrowboatworld for allowing the site to be used for what sometimes seems to be a soapbox, writes Steve Jenkin.
The openness is becoming evident, along with a definite transition towards maintenance of the navigations.
No consultation
There seems however, to be a one step forward, two steps back trend evolving. I am referring to the recent change of mooring proposals being rolled out across the system for visitor moorings. No consultation involved, except of course with the Inland Waterways Association. I would like to point out, that the IWA does not represent all boaters.
Canal & river Trust states that it will cut costs for patrol duties. This is not the case, as I am sure many will see. Although I do not as a rule consider myself to be a conspiracy theorist, I am of the mind that CaRT are attempting to disrupt individual boaters.
Neglected to monitor
I would like to remind CaRT and John Dodwell, they have the legislation relevant to dealing with overstayers, but as in the late 1980's early 1990's, they have neglected to monitor and police the problem and the result has been of their own making.
As a continuous cruiser, I would be foolish to say overstaying on moorings does not happen (whilst pointing out, it's not just continuous cruisers doing this).
Travelling various parts of the navigation though, I would not say it's a huge problem. It's becoming very annoying that CaRT fiddles with boat monitoring (2011-2012 winter boat report) and legislation to get its preferred interpretation, rather than enforcing the laws that are sufficient and readily at its disposal.
Mooring auctions
The continuing debacle of mooring auctions seems to do nothing to help either. On this situation, I believe it's time the trustees stood up to senior CaRT management, bring in a system that realistically boaters can afford, a system where the 'overstayers' have a fair chance of an affordable mooring.
A system that would see all moorings taken up thus giving CaRT that all important extra revenue.
Continuous cruisers may be in the minority, but that does not give CaRT or the trustees the right not to consult with us as well as the IWA.