Jagrat

Perhaps instead of making these comments you should just read the history relating to Grand Union in Nicholson guide 1 page 25 you could look up Bradshaw’s reference the Grand Junction Canal pages 132/133 ref types of vessels using the navigation whilst I have nothing against wide beam boats they should only navigate waterways designed to take that type of vessel

Unfortunately, I think your not far from the truth they CRT are trying to be something they were never intended to be and appear to avoiding taking on the mantle of Navigation Authority Also, I’m sure some wide beam owner would challenge any reasonable action taken by CRT to restrict areas of the system they are allowed to cruise

This an extract of a recent e Mail I’ve sent to a Senior Manager of CRT it is our duty to hold their feet to the fire if we are not to loose this treasure over the coming years further to our lengthy telephone conversation, I still feel that your organisation is failing to fully appreciate the issues and concerns regarding 12' widebeam boats on canals designed specifically for narrowboats of only 7' beam. I wish to make clear and put in writing my deep concerns and once again say that as stated by Matthew Symonds in his email to me that I believe this is a 'navigational safety' issue. He quotes the trust's "advisory list of waterway dimensions" which clearly states that the various narrow canals can accomodate a maximum beam of "7ft" and qualifies the fact that these limitations "will limit where craft above certain dimensions will be able to safely navigate" thereby identifying this as a navigational safety issue. I live and cruise on the canals all year round and know full well the numbers of inexperienced boaters who appear on the system each year having little or no practical experience. They generally tend towards travelling too fast and panic when encountering any unexpected traffic or a navigational obstruction, the result being an over reaction selecting high revs and sometimes reverse gear ! I do know that allowing widebeam boats onto canals which were designed for narrow beam boats is a huge mistake and ignoring the issues or disowning the problem on the basis that, to quote Matthew Symonds' email once again, "I have not been able to identify any Trust rule or byelaw that explicitly restricts the passage of wide beam boats" simply doesn't cut the mustard. This is without doubt a Navigational Safety issue and to say that CRT does not have the authority to deal with it is ludicrous to say the least. CRT has a duty of care to all its customers and I simply cannot see how ignoring such a clear and obvious health and safety issue can be construed as anything other than failing in that duty.

This is what I recently sent to a CRT Senior Manager !! further to our lengthy telephone conversation, I still feel that your organisation is failing to fully appreciate the issues and concerns regarding 12' widebeam boats on canals designed specifically for narrowboats of only 7' beam. I wish to make clear and put in writing my deep concerns and once again say that as stated by Matthew Symonds in his email to me that I believe this is a 'navigational safety' issue. He quotes the trust's "advisory list of waterway dimensions" which clearly states that the various narrow canals can accomodate a maximum beam of "7ft" and qualifies the fact that these limitations "will limit where craft above certain dimensions will be able to safely navigate" thereby identifying this as a navigational safety issue. I live and cruise on the canals all year round and know full well the numbers of inexperienced boaters who appear on the system each year having little or no practical experience. They generally tend towards travelling too fast and panic when encountering any unexpected traffic or a navigational obstruction, the result being an over reaction selecting high revs and sometimes reverse gear ! I do know that allowing widebeam boats onto canals which were designed for narrow beam boats is a huge mistake and ignoring the issues or disowning the problem on the basis that, to quote Matthew Symonds' email once again, "I have not been able to identify any Trust rule or byelaw that explicitly restricts the passage of wide beam boats" simply doesn't cut the mustard. This is without doubt a Navigational Safety issue and to say that CRT does not have the authority to deal with it is ludicrous to say the least. CRT has a duty of care to all its customers and I simply cannot see how ignoring such a clear and obvious health and safety issue can be construed as anything other than failing in that duty.