Richard Parry answers - Fourth page

(Alan Fincher) Can moorings auctions be looked at?

CaRT issued a consultation today looking at this. We don't believe an auction system is right for the majority of sites where demand is low but it will be retained for highly sought-after locations. We want to make the process of applying for a mooring as easy as possible.

(Alan Fincher) Is it still going to revert to the list price after three years?

My understanding is that it reverts to the guide price which is itself set by reference to mooring costs in the area. We can look at this aspect.

(Marcus) Canals were not intended for just leisure but for working also. Why attack people who are just trying to live? I live aboard and move every two weeks. Should other housing be provided? I need to live somewhere and live on my boat, but people are saying this isn't sustainable. Should CaRT tackle the idea that all problems are caused by the people who live aboard? How are we going to enforce guidance as it is guidance and not the law?

Our guidance is intended to advise everyone what you need to do to satisfy the Trust that you are complying with the law. Of course a boater can challenge our enforcement in the court if they believe they are compliant.

(Paul Berkley) What is the principle between canals being navigable, and the impact of environmental issues? What is CaRT's priority and view?

We manage around 60 SSSIs on or around our canals and there are many conservation areas. Many people, including boaters of course, cherish the wildlife and yes sometimes our responsibility to protect the environment can cause issues between this and navigation. I am confident that we can work to manage these tensions. Canals are for navigation but have also become special wildlife areas so we have to respect them. It's not a major conflict and its not unique—we also manage many listed heritage sites alongside navigation for example. Part of our challenge is to achieve these various objectives.

(Paul Berkley) Will this affect the dredging?

We have announced a 10 years dredging programme. Because of our agreement with government and our performance there is more money to do this and we have made the commitment to do it. The main issue is disposing the ‘stuff' we dredge from the bottom, which costs a lot more than it used to. We have to respect that it needs disposing of correctly.

DD: For example in the West Midlands where there is contamination, we moved fish from an area that needed dredging as the dredging could have polluted the water and harmed them.

Concluding remarks

RP: Thank you for coming this evening. Some of the tensions we have to manage have been clear this evening but I think we're all here because we love canals and want the best for their future.