The Floater February 2018

February 2018 - For the third time since Christmas, C&RT is advertising in the Sunday Times. Following its advert for Regional Advisory Board Chairs and Regional Directors, C&RT is now seeking to two new Trustees. Allan Richards reports.

February 2018 - It takes a certain type of genius to block off access to the heart of the canal network from virtually every direction but Canal & River Trust appears to have done exactly that until it decrees the start of the 'boating season' in mid March.

February 2018 - It seems another council is seeking to drive boaters away as Fenland District Council, a small local authority proposes to use local bye-laws to fine any boater who stays more than 36 hours on moorings in March and Whittlesey, as Alec Wood reports.

February 2018 - Boaters on the River Nene – now to be operated by the Environment Agency for the foreseeable future - are writing to the government department demanding a refund of their licence fees as charges go up and facilities shrink.

February 2018 - Whilst the Canal & River Trust spends millions trying to project a positive image and makes a fetish of the number of volunteers it recruits, the way it treats and attempts to control canal enthusiasts is a true measure of the institution and the sad saga of the way it has dea

February 2018 - Letters to the editor are a time-honoured feature of local and national newspapers – a natural home for the disgruntled and those who want to draw attention to issues others may not have noticed.

February 2018 - In what can only be described as a surprise move, C&RT will replace its six remaining Waterways Managers with six Regional Directors, writes Allan Richards.

February 2018 - The Canal & River Trust has finally replied to a complaint regarding its handling of a Freedom of Information request - and denial is the name of the game.

February 2018 - Complaints by some that the smokeless fuel Excel was not as good as it once was, and seemed to burn cooler as well as producing much more ash, have resulted in the brand owners suggesting that boaters may be being mis-sold another product under the Excel name, as Charles Alberts r

February 2018 - Canal & River Trust's decision to impose £150 'fines' on boaters using its long-term moorings when they are vacant – and handing enforcement over to a commercial car parking firm - is still causing anger and opostion amongst boaters, six months later, as Alec Wood reports.

February 2018 - On 17 October, C&RT wrote to Waterways Minister, Therese Coffey, setting out terms for transfer of Environment Agency Waterways. More than three months later, on 25 January 2018, a meeting of C&RT’s board of trustees were told that the bid had failed.

February 2018 - After finding it faced a united front of opposition from boating and canal organisations in Birmingham, Canal and River Trust may be about to make a U-turn on its plans to sell the freehold of the historic Blowers Green Pumphouse, as Peter Underwood reports.