Steve, 

Like you, although I replied to all the consultation documents, I was not
kept informed by BW. I heard via the OwnerShips board initially  where a
couple of people had been pursuing the official complaints procedure
regarding the way the consultation was being handled, rather than just
replying to the reports and then found the document on the BW website - it
looks like the OS chaps were told because of their complaint rather than
their replies to consultation documents (I guess because it was hoped it
would then stop their complaint if there was no longer a danger of being
charged more)

The report certainly does not give any new evidence as to the reason for the
second conclusion. I am left believing they will be relying on the earlier
consultants report which indicated that charging by use was fair in their
eyes, but will not have another go until they can be seen to be fair in how
they asses "use" It was after all their complete inability to draft details
of any suitable mechanism to achieve this, which led to their failure this
time - certainly I have never heard officially or unofficially that the need
/ desire to move to a "charge by use"  licence structure has gone away. Like
you I have not seen anything substantial in the way of support for this move
from organisations or individuals. It will be interesting to hear what IWA &
NABO have to say on the matter now BW have published the "Final" conclusion.

My "common sense" comment was meant to reflect the fact that they have
accepted there is no point in wasting more money on pursuing the lost cause
of this review currently, rather than total satisfaction. Like you I will
not be happy if there is an immediate attempt to go after any other group,
such as the CC's now. 

Sadly I do think that inevitably they will keep an eye on technology and if
the opportunity arises to either apply a blanket "charge by use" fee or
alternatively an increase in the type of charging like the towpath mooring
fees at Llangollen, we will inevitably see charging dependant on use of the
system for cruising  begin to happen. I wonder whether the Anderton lift
will stay free for long and whether charges will soon be made at places such
as Watford and Foxton locks and Harecastle and Standedge tunnels, where
staff are already in place who could  take tolls from passing boaters?  

Regards

Steve Goodsell     


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