After writing to my local MP Kelvin Hopkins outlining my concerns for the future funding of the new Canal & River Trust I received this reply from him which is a transcript of the letter he is sending to Rt Hon Caroline Spelman MP, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. When he receives a reply he will write to me again.
Dear Secretary of State,
I enclose a copy of a letter from a constituent, Mr David Winter of ( my address ) who is concerned about the transfer of British Waterways to charitable status.
Mr Winter is concerned that the projected funding for the new Canal and River Trust (CRT) will be insufficient over the ten year period of the initial contract. There is no allowance for inflation and according to British Waterway's own projections there will be a funding deficit of £20m which the CRT would inherit.
In addition, BW has a pension deficit of £65 million. Mr Winter maintains that there is a large dredging backlog requiring £8-12 million per year to stabilise as well as ensuring that drainage, navigation and environmental requirements are effectively maintained. In addition the rights of those who live on the canal are under threat of being reduced. I also believe that British Waterways or its successor body should not be exempt from the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act as there will continue to be a public interest in much of the work of the successor body.
Issues such as the sale or lease of lock-keepers cottages are also of concern, as there will be no professionals on site at locks to ensure their safe use.
I would be grateful for the points Mr Winter makes which are very worrying for the future of the waterways. I look forward to a reply to my letter in due course.
Yours sincerely,
Kelvin Hopkins MP
About Me
- Dave Winter
- At the moment I am caring full time for a family member and when the time comes I will be selling up and living on a narrowboat.I enjoy reading,especially about those living on narrowboats and their daily lives.The tug Nb Resolute in the above picture is NOT mine but is owned by Dave Moore and is something I would aspire to own one day although I am going to look at many boats before I make a decision on the style and interior.Tugs are looking good at the moment but have yet to look around one. My interest in narrowboats started some 47 years ago. As a lad I cycled from Luton to bridge 111 on the G.U.by the Globe to fish and watch the Morton and Clayton boats go by,full of coal with a family on board and always wondered how they kept their balance on the planks that ran above the coal and why the the dogs didnt jump in the canal.That fascination has stayed with me so when I am able I will be there on my narrowboat joining in the great community of boat owners. Find me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/brassiclint or listen to my music site.Use earphones or earplugs depending on your musical taste :) http://blip.fm/Dave_Winter
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