Tolls have boaters support

HAVING a toll for the use of Stanground and Salter Lode locks has the support of local boat owners as the most cost effected method of raising funds to cover the lock keepers' wages and the care and repair of the locks, write Kelvin Alexander Duggan.

As the lock keepers already sell keys, windlasses and other items, there will be no increased costs in administration if they deal with toll payments as well.

More staff would be needed

This would be unlike a complex licence system being installed, where more staff would need to be employed to process them. Just look at how much of the licence fee CaRT spend on administration.

Kelvin's picture shows approaching Salter's Lode in the short window when both Well Creek and the Ouse are level, The only time you can get anything longer than 62ft through.

An average of 4,500 boats pass through Salters and Stanground locks each year. Which works out at £11.11 per passage through the two locks (£5.56 per lock), which is hardy substantial (A day licence on the Nene or the Ouse is £10).