Steve Haywood wrote: > 2009/8/3 Mack, David > [email protected] > >> >> I think it more likely we will see more deferred maintenance and a >> slow general decline. When something significant fails there will be >> an extended stoppage until more funds can be found, just as was the >> case in the 1980s with Blisworth and Netherton Tunnels, Anderton >> Lift etc. The next Mon & Brec or Stourbridge breach might not be >> fixed so quickly. >> > And is this such a bad thing? Perhaps a tighter budget may lead to BW > cutting obviously nonsense expenditure like signage and extra mooring > points. Perhaps it might lead them to review non-necessary > expenditure like the veg pledge.
In your dreams? :-) > Towpath walkers should expect what > they find in the countryside and boaters should carry sickles for > mooring, the same as they once did. I now carry a pair of secaters. Nice time on Saturday and Sunday pruning the Hanwell Flight > The towpaths have never been so > good; maybe a year or two of decline would discourage some of the > more unsavoury elements that are using them. And as for general > maintenance, maybe a period of decline would restore some of the old > values of boating when boaters had to use ingenuity if they came > across a lock that was out of action, or a stretch that appeared > unpassably shallow. Perhaps it would be no bad thing if the new breed > of floating cottage boater were made to realise it isn't all easy > going.... > > Discuss > > Steve Sounds like you need to go to Ireland. Must go, got a new Irish waterway to (re) discover...this time the Maigue, off the Shannon Estuary up to Adare...if we dare! ps there are obvious candidates for the first three waterways to close...just think, the most expensive to maintain, keep full of water, hardly any boats moored, only one hire boat base.... -- Neil Arlidge NB Erne-west TNC...Going far west... http://www.tuesdaynightclub.co.uk/tour.html
