Canal Day

The British waterways are in a bad state. They are the responsibility of DEFRA, the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. But DEFRA had a financial catastrophe over a new computer system that didn't work, which meant they were late paying an EU subsidy to farmers, which meant they were fined a huge sum by the EU, so now they are penny-pinching wherever they can. And the British Government doesn't value the waterways now that they are no longer commercially viable. It wants to tax the canalboat-dwellers to pay for everything, even though all taxpayers use the canals as an amenity. Tony is taking his boat to the furthest reaches of the canal system to publicise the campaign to save Britain's waterways from irretrievable collapse.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• canal
• boat
• narrowboat
• UK
• DEFRA
• waterways
• collapse
• social
• amenities
• campaign

[gumleyboy]

It seems to me that sooner or later, someone is going to get hurt on that bridge. Then, if the national papers get hold of it, there will be an uproar and people will be asking why wasn't something done about this bridge before now.

[HappyHag]

Yes, it seems a distinct possibility. Then of course they'll go and drain all the canals because they're hazardous, and once gone, we'll never get them back.

[187beyond]

ridiculous dont governments know people are the true currency not olyimpics or whatever...... this is a no brainer FIX IT ;)

[HappyHag]

I don't think governments are as much in control as they'd like to make people think. The state of the canals is not visible enough for them to worry about it. Hence the campaign.

[achampag]

wow the crack in that bridge at the beginning is bad! do they let people drive on that?

i hope they decide to put some money towards that...isnt it funny what they choose worthy of funds?

=(

[HappyHag]

I expect when someone drives into the canal they'll do something. Maybe. But that's only one bridge out of many.

[rothwellss]

the canals WILL return to the past glories but as a VERY private company Folk who use it for pleasure will be priced out as the roads oil and so called mechanisation will not compete with the already make canal system a few pound here and there by PRIVATE people in the know will ensure a ready make transport system Tescos now move most of there alcohol and other non perishables to Manchester by barge from the dock at Liverpool off the ships and on to a barge

[mwagne16]

Part of our heritage? What part is it that had gas motors in the mid 1800's? If you want heritage, drop the motor, and get an animal to pull the boat.

[stephsdad1]

This f****** government care only about screwing money out of everything, they would gladly concrete the entire canal network so they could employ people to hide in the offside undergrowth with speed cameras. I,M NOT JOKING!!!

[acecafejay]

I AGREE

[187beyond]

I AGREE the give people that ol all seeing eye crap win they really need help, :)

[HappyHag]

Yes, who can fathom the minds of politicians...