Here are feature articles by London Boaters. Members may comment on matters presented here.

The C&RT bonus culture

March 2018 - A Gender Pay Gap statement issued on 8 March shows that the Canal & River Trust is still operating a bonus culture, writes Allan Richards.

Waterway Partnerships cost £800,000 a year and failed to raise ANY cash

March 2018 - C&RT’s reorganisation grinds on. It appears to be aimed at shedding senior managers by decentralising many of the functions centralised by Chief Executive, Richard Parry, just a few years ago. Evidently, the Trust is trying a ‘new broom’ approach, with the old broom still in charge. Allan Richards delves deeper into one of the reasons for reorganisation - Waterways Partnerships failure to attract funding.

C&RT license hike plans alienate all sides

March 2018 - It seems that Canal & River Trust has managed to upset both friends and foes with it chaotic licensing review and selective use of the confused findings – just as many boaters predicted when it was first announced. Peter Underwood reports.

Boater cleared of assault on rowing marshall

March 2018 - A boater labelled a ‘Hammer-Wielding Bird Lover’ by the media has been cleared of an alleged assault after a a group of rowing marshalls claimed he had attacked them.

The National Bargee Travellers Association reports that James Deane, a disabled Cambridge boat dweller who says he was attacked by a group of rowing marshals and then arrested for alleged assault on one of them, was found not guilty of all charges at Huntingdon Magistrates court.

Is C&RT selling BWML to pay off £13m loan?

March 2018 - Canal & River Trust has decided to throw in the towel with its BWML marina subsidiary and sell it. This will allow one of BWML’s larger competitors, or a new competitor, to expand massively by acquiring 18 marinas and over 3,000 berths. Allan Richards delves into BWML’s history.

Canal & River Trust tries to mitigate HS2 impact

March 2018 - The Canal & River Trust is trying to persuade politicians to change existing plans for the new high speed rail link North of Birmingham, the section that runs from the West Midlands to Crewe will impact on the Trent and Mersey Canal in three places, and may mean canal closures over many years, as Alec Wood reports.

Higher costs for wide boats but no CCer penalty - yet

March 2018 - After claiming it wanted to simplify the licensing system the Canal & River Trust has now announced it is about to make it more complicated and expensive for some. It also seems to have quietly abandoned it's earlier claims that changes would be revenue neutral, as Peter Underwood reports.

It now seems the purpose of the consultation was 'to ensure the financial contribution made by boaters towards the cost of looking after the waterways is spread fairly across the boating community' according to C&RT.

Towpath crime rising?

March 2018 - Keeping both yourself and your boat safe from thieves, and worse, on the towpath is becoming more of a problem for boaters, especially in some of the less salubrious parts of London but also elsewhere, including some surprisingly rural spots, as Peter Underwood reports.

Set against a background of a government which has shrunk police budgets and reduced numbers over many years, it is unsurprising that boaters should become victims of the rising crime rate, alongside land dwellers.

C&RT hunts money experts as Trustees

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.

With a closing date of 12 March 2018, C&RT is advertising for two Trustees. In the short term this will increase its number or Trustees from 10 to 12. According to the Sunday Times advert:

Birmingham cut off by canal closures?

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. Peter Underwood has been checking it out.

Despite the fact that C&RT boasts Birmingham is the 'heart of Britains canal network on signs across the city, the vast majority of boaters are now unable to get in or out of the city – and that will the case until the middle of March.

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