bassplayer

Isn't there some law that says if you live on it for long enough, you can claim it?

I wasn't aware you could purchase strips of towpath. As mentioned, you might be able to purchase strips of private land on the off side.

I agree with this bit. As regards defending ones views, it helps to be open minded to new ideas and thoughts...that's not a personal comment BTW.

That also works the other way. Clearly some boaters worry that their crireria or interpretation of that is going to get them in trouble. I also find it hard to believe that many boaters are deliberately trying to push CRT to the limit of their interpretation for fun.

The trouble is that rules and even law has sometimes been shown to be wrong throughout history. Jurors can only work with the information they are fed. More of a problem is that money and influence can lead to unjust outcomes. That's why you start seeing protest marches and historically, revolutions.

That's why talking to people face to face is always better than spouting off rhetoric on a forum. As Jenlyn often says, keyboard warriors. I suppose we are all gulty of it sometimes though.

Are you going to MK on the 10th to have a chat with a few from the NBTA and find out more? BTW I'm not sure why anyone would be hell bent on taking on a huge organisation for no reason. I'm sure they just want to get on with their lives too...

I doubt many of those who have had problems can be bothered coming on here Alan. The few who do just get ridiculed by the 'usuals', the last thing they need is to be judged by those who have little or no experience. As I've said before, time will tell. If more of us start having problems in the future we will probably start seeing more examples here. If CRT do have a sinister agenda I just hope it gets nipped in the bud before it's too late. For anyone who wants to genuinely understand the truth I'd suggest going to a few meetings and talk to some of the boaters who are having problems. Then you are in a better position to judge.

I quite like your signature Mike, pity you don't take heed to it sometimes...

I'm happy with the accepted definition thanks...

"A London Mooring Strategy will allow the Trust to take a look at how to manage these issues, as well as make the most of opportunities that will help the CHARITY maintain the waterways for the benefit of boaters and other users" They like slipping the 'charity' word in don't they? I'm not convinced they are living up to that label.

For me, this part of your post just about sums up the jealousy and bigotry I see time and tume again here. It's almost like some don't want to learn the truth. Why should anyone be expected to pay for a mooring and facilities they wouldn't use? This whole concept of boaters living off the back of other boaters who pay for a mooring is just wrong and misguided. As for those without licences. Aren't some of them contributing through benefits but CRT don't actually issue them a licence?

Why are you singling out those without a home mooring? It's the same for those cruising with a home mooring.

Who's fiddling the rules? And anyway CRT could be seen as fiddling with the law. Isn't that worse?

Sadly it's a fact of life. There are P takers on both sides. The majority just quietly get on with enjoying their chosen lifestyle and respect others. Unfortunately it seems the minority are messing it up for the rest of us. P takers are being used to divide and conquer so we are distracted from bigger issues. If we all just played nicely we'd be fine.

Yes indeed, some seem to point fingers easily without any hard facts.

That's what I would do. It's far easier than doing a full assessment on why the boat is there. I sometimes wonder if most of the problems we hear about are caused by people having too much time on their hands and an inappropriate sense of self importance.

Has this hypothetical scenario ever happened? This kind of thinking is what is creating CRT problems which don't exist and wasting us all a lot of time and money. The language you use in your post to descibe such a hypothetical problem boater just shows the bigotry out there. It's very sad really. "Having seen first hand the consequences of taking legitimate action against transgressors I'm afraid that I would have to disagree with you" ...this is more interesting, what happened here then?

Yes, I believe this is the case. It's probably fair to say that the majority of boaters taking up tow path winter moorings do not have a home mooring. I'm not sure if all those who use long term tow path moorings are declared officially as boats with a home mooring?!