The Floater November 2017

November 2017 - Despite unnecessary and groundless objections from North West waterways manager Chantelle Seaborn, Colin Ogden and his 1,000 strong band of Owd Lanky Boaters have taken a major step forward in their plans to restore the Northern Reaches of the Lancaster Canal, as Peter Underwood r

November 2017 - Canal & River Trust has finally confirmed that it is to spend £7m less this winter in maintaining the waterways entrusted to it, but the mystery that remains is another £80m allegedly spent on 'restoration' as Allan Richards reports.

November 2017 - Hard on the heels of fishermen attracting widespread condemnation for demanding that more Cormorants and Goosanders must be shot across the country, it seems fishing lobbyists have also persuaded Canal & River Trust to change the rules in their favour, and to the detriment of

November 2017 - Not satisfied with reaching out to cyclists, dog walkers and runners C&RT is now targetting fans of funk, disco and house music from the days of Manchester’s Hacienda club, as Peter Underwood reports.

November 2017 - With the deadline less than a month away it seems boaters have lost either interest or faith in Canal & River Trust's unnecessary consultation on boat licences, as Peter Underwood reports.

November 2017 - The formidable Jenny Maxwell has just posted this and it sums up the feelings of many, many boaters:

"It's a while since I wrote this, but it still seems relevant.

CAN YOU HEAR ME?

November 2017 - Up to 200 C&RT employees may be made redundant following a decision by the Trust to restructure in order to simplify how it works. Back in May the Floater queried why C&RT had nine highly paid directors when, in 2012, it only had six.

November 2017 - How often have you seen boaters with a mooring complaining about continuous cruisers 'not paying their way' and implying that far too many are licence evaders?

November 2017 - Plans for the first phase of the regeneration of Icknield Port Loop have been approved by Birmingham City Council.

November 2017 - After parting company with Sophie Castell as marketing, communications and fundraising director, the Canal & River Trust has now also said goodbye to Ian Rogers, as customer services and operations director and effective head of boating – seemingly matching the Prime Minister

November 2017 - Canal and River Trust's ability to ride roughshod over its paying customers and it's consistent refusal to advocate on behalf of boaters is being amply demonstrated in Birmingham, as Peter Underwood reports.

November 2017 - Two weeks The Floater asked whether C&RT was operating below minimum safety standards.