2008/9/19 Julian [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Well unless we get an enlightened government somehow I feel it wont be by > government grant! > Having said that it is the way it should be but since they wont play ball > then other means have to be looked at. > > You see I don't feel much can be gained by rearranging the furniture on the Titanic. IMO we've got to the stage where the pips are squeaking with boaters and a pound or two here from barges, or a puond or two there from continuous cruisers, won't make enough of a difference to be worth bothering with. On the other hand, if BW persist in attempting to do this they will further damage the whole industry which is close to collapse anyhow, and will not be inproving with the current financial situation.
If people want a viable canal system for whatever reason: because of the facilities it offers local communities, the revenue it generates here and from overseas, for its environmental impact, or whatever, then they are going to have to pay for it. We cannot be expected as one just sector of the waterways-using population to fund the whole caboodle. Again, I believe the critical fight will be to preserve what we already have: that is the right, by buying a licence, to cruise when and where we want. If we let this slip away from us - are you listening to me, Glen? - it will be the start of a whole range of measures aimed at taking away what we already have and making us pay extra to get them back again. Steve [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
