Midnight Posted November 21, 2020 Report Share Posted November 21, 2020 A couple of articles on Narrowboatworld suggesting the IWA has lost its mojo and NABO as a credible alternative.https://www.narrowboatworld.com/12726-what-s-happened-to-the-iwahttps://www.narrowboatworld.com/12727-there-is-always-nabo I believe us boaters desperately need an independent organisation who will vigorously take CaRT to task over its abysmal record on closures and management. I don't know much about NABO they don't seem to attract very much publicity for their activities unlike the NBTA . Does anyone know what they have done recently that makes them worth considering? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan de Enfield Posted November 21, 2020 Report Share Posted November 21, 2020 (edited) 16 minutes ago, Midnight said: A couple of articles on Narrowboatworld suggesting the IWA has lost its mojo and NABO as a credible alternative.https://www.narrowboatworld.com/12726-what-s-happened-to-the-iwahttps://www.narrowboatworld.com/12727-there-is-always-nabo I believe us boaters desperately need an independent organisation who will vigorously take CaRT to task over its abysmal record on closures and management. I don't know much about NABO they don't seem to attract very much publicity for their activities unlike the NBTA . Does anyone know what they have done recently that makes them worth considering? They are active but don't make a big 'song and dance' about it. They were particular active in compaling in a written respons to C&RT when they introduced their new T&Cs. 1) can board your boat without giving notice (illegal) 2) all boaters with a home mooring must follow CC rules (illegal) etc etc. and, their response to C&RTs latest plans to change the T&Cs Urgent: CRT licence terms and conditions (nabo.org.uk) Have a look for your self NABO Home Edited November 21, 2020 by Alan de Enfield Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post wandering snail Posted November 21, 2020 Popular Post Report Share Posted November 21, 2020 I've responded to the Narrowboatworld post as follows but it is just as relevant here: NABO certainly is an extremely active campaigning group that works extraordinarily hard as CRT's 'critical friend' to keep boaters' concerns to the fore. It’s perhaps a valid point that outside our membership we don’t publicise ourselves as much as we should. At the moment for example, NABO is working on a thorough response to the proposed new Terms and Conditions. It's not a very 'sexy' subject but these changes could have a negative impact for all the licence holders who will be required to sign up to them. Our concerns will be publicised shortly and I will make sure we send a copy to Narrowboatworld as well as the other Waterways press. Please help us to keep holding CRT to account by joining NABO and adding your voice. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonka Posted November 21, 2020 Report Share Posted November 21, 2020 28 minutes ago, wandering snail said: I've responded to the Narrowboatworld post as follows but it is just as relevant here: NABO certainly is an extremely active campaigning group that works extraordinarily hard as CRT's 'critical friend' to keep boaters' concerns to the fore. It’s perhaps a valid point that outside our membership we don’t publicise ourselves as much as we should. At the moment for example, NABO is working on a thorough response to the proposed new Terms and Conditions. It's not a very 'sexy' subject but these changes could have a negative impact for all the licence holders who will be required to sign up to them. Our concerns will be publicised shortly and I will make sure we send a copy to Narrowboatworld as well as the other Waterways press. Please help us to keep holding CRT to account by joining NABO and adding your voice. Are you only anti CRT or all navigation authorities? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuscan Posted November 21, 2020 Report Share Posted November 21, 2020 (edited) 8 minutes ago, Tonka said: Are you only anti CRT or all navigation authorities? If it helps NABO have objected to the recent award by the EA of a contract to the management of its visitor moorings to a car parking company who are wanting a lien of your boat in the event of non payment of a penalty ticket. Edited November 21, 2020 by Tuscan 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan de Enfield Posted November 21, 2020 Report Share Posted November 21, 2020 5 minutes ago, Tonka said: Are you only anti CRT or all navigation authorities? Do other navigation authorities T&Cs over rule the Law ? Do other navigation authorities stand up in court and say that "an internal memo supercedes the 1995 BW Act as it post dates it" ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matty40s Posted November 21, 2020 Report Share Posted November 21, 2020 8 minutes ago, Tonka said: Are you only anti CRT or all navigation authorities? I dont see NABO as anti CRT at all, maybe trying to hold them to account or reminding them that without boaters, the canals would be a barren ditch. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete.i Posted November 21, 2020 Report Share Posted November 21, 2020 The IWA, of which I was a member for a year or so a while back, "lost it's mojo" a long time ago. I know nothing about NABO or the NBTA but if they are doing anything, as said, they are very quiet about it. As for galvanising the rest of the boating fraternity to do anything with one voice or even be concerned about the possible demise of the canal system, um only when pigs fly. I no longer have a boat of my own although I do have a half share in a narrowboat. I got disillusioned with BW and then CRT a good while back even though I am an educational volunteer for CRT. I and my colleagues talk to children about water safety and canal history. It was. and still is, my hope that talking to kids about the inland waterway system would make, at least some of them, interested in taking responsibility for the canals when us lot of curmudgeonlies pop our clogs, as we inevitably will. This was something the IWA used to do when I joined them but the IWA's involvement in a lot of things canal seems to have waned dramatically in the last few years. My take on the subject is that the CRT would love to get rid of boaters but they cannot just kick everybody off the canals because there are thousands living on the waterways. I get the impression that boaters generally are a pain to deal with from the CRT point of view. I do hope I am wrong but that is the way I see it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonka Posted November 21, 2020 Report Share Posted November 21, 2020 17 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said: Do other navigation authorities T&Cs over rule the Law ? Do other navigation authorities stand up in court and say that "an internal memo supercedes the 1995 BW Act as it post dates it" ? Why would The Envirnment agency quote a BW act Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rgreg Posted November 21, 2020 Report Share Posted November 21, 2020 (edited) I don't know if the IWA has "lost its mojo", but I feel that it is still the most respected and influential of the various waterways user organisations. Edited November 21, 2020 by Athy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan de Enfield Posted November 21, 2020 Report Share Posted November 21, 2020 53 minutes ago, Tonka said: Why would The Envirnment agency quote a BW act Treated with the contempt it deserves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athy Posted November 21, 2020 Report Share Posted November 21, 2020 1 hour ago, Tonka said: Are you only anti CRT or all navigation authorities? I don't see Mrs. Snail as being either. Perhaps you didn't notice her use of the phrase "critical friend", which I think is a very good one, and which I'm sure sums up her stance. 48 minutes ago, rgreg said: I don't know if the IWA has "lost it's mojo", I wish it would lose it's apostrophe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebotco Posted November 21, 2020 Report Share Posted November 21, 2020 3 hours ago, Tonka said: Are you only anti CRT or all navigation authorities? I don't think he's anti anything - just pointing out NABO is pro boaters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rgreg Posted November 21, 2020 Report Share Posted November 21, 2020 2 hours ago, Athy said: I wish it would lose it's apostrophe. How the heck did that happen?! I'm suitably mortified and it's too late to edit. Perhaps you could oblige sir? Thank you in anticipation. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midnight Posted November 21, 2020 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2020 (edited) Well so far nothing to excite me into joining NABO. I don't see how changed terms and conditions or Thames signage make my life anywhere near as the hell on earth caused by the stoppages we suffer here in Yorkshire. I'm not anti-CaRT just anti letting the system decline due to financial mismanagement and policies inconsistent with a navigation authority - which I thought they are supposed to be. . Edited November 21, 2020 by Midnight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athy Posted November 21, 2020 Report Share Posted November 21, 2020 1 hour ago, Rebotco said: I don't think he's anti anything - just pointing out NABO is pro boaters. I don't think he's a he. 42 minutes ago, rgreg said: How the heck did that happen?! I'm suitably mortified and it's too late to edit. Perhaps you could oblige sir? Thank you in anticipation. Done! I thought perhaps you were Reg the Greengrocer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rgreg Posted November 21, 2020 Report Share Posted November 21, 2020 13 minutes ago, Athy said: Done! I thought perhaps you were Reg the Greengrocer. It's still there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noone Posted November 21, 2020 Report Share Posted November 21, 2020 22 minutes ago, Midnight said: Well so far nothing to excite me into joining NABO. I don't see how changed terms and conditions or Thames signage make my life anywhere near as the hell on earth caused by the stoppages we suffer here in Yorkshire. I'm not anti-CaRT just anti letting the system decline due to financial mismanagement and policies inconsistent with a navigation authority - which I thought they are supposed to be. . You ARE anti CaRT then!..? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midnight Posted November 21, 2020 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2020 23 minutes ago, Leggers do it lying down said: Some of the CaRT ground staff are brilliant, some volunteers are friendly and helpful, some admin and regional mangers try their best to sort out issues so I'm not totally anti-CaRT it's just the general direction of flow is disadvantaging navigation. Anyone in this area who cannot fit the gauge for the Standedge tunnel has been trapped in West Yorkshire since August 28 and the maintenance of the Rochdale, Huddersfield & Calder Navigation is poor to say the least. Mr Parry said it's too expensive to retain bank staff but how much does it cost (not just in terms of money) to employ inexperienced contractors and hire tools when needed. So who is calling CaRT to task over those matters? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyG Posted November 21, 2020 Report Share Posted November 21, 2020 (edited) 14 minutes ago, Midnight said: Some of the CaRT ground staff are brilliant, some volunteers are friendly and helpful, some admin and regional mangers try their best to sort out issues so I'm not totally anti-CaRT it's just the general direction of flow is disadvantaging navigation. Anyone in this area who cannot fit the gauge for the Standedge tunnel has been trapped in West Yorkshire since August 28 and the maintenance of the Rochdale, Huddersfield & Calder Navigation is poor to say the least. Mr Parry said it's too expensive to retain bank staff but how much does it cost (not just in terms of money) to employ inexperienced contractors and hire tools when needed. So who is calling CaRT to task over those matters? I think I know the answer to your query. I think you do too? From my very limited experience, I would say that materials used are not always fit for purpose, I am thinking footbridges over bywashes and lock gates, obviously rotting, most likely due to using untreated wood. Doing repairs it make sense to use good materials as labour is so expensive. If they are done by contractors the contract should specify the requirements, and not be signed off 'til work completed to standard. Even Health and safety is a huge issue, cold deep water, slippery locks, where could one start... : Edited November 21, 2020 by LadyG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Mike Todd Posted November 21, 2020 Popular Post Report Share Posted November 21, 2020 1 hour ago, Midnight said: Well so far nothing to excite me into joining NABO. I don't see how changed terms and conditions or Thames signage make my life anywhere near as the hell on earth caused by the stoppages we suffer here in Yorkshire. I'm not anti-CaRT just anti letting the system decline due to financial mismanagement and policies inconsistent with a navigation authority - which I thought they are supposed to be. . You are right to describe CaRT as " a navigation authority" but would be wrong to say that it was only a navigation authority". To sustain its financial position it has to fulfil a range of KPIs which encapsulate the government's view that the canals should be enjoyed by more than those who boat in the water. I have yet to see any significant evidence to support the description 'financial mismanagement' (be careful regarding libel!) which is not a conclusion justified simply because you disagree with their priorities and budgets. Given that they are trying to achieve the impossible (a funding package that is, by all authorities, considered inadequate, set without any effective plan for how they might magically close the gap) it would be reprehensible if some of their initiatives did not work out. "Anyone who has succeeded at all they do has never done anything much" If there really had been financial mismanagement over the timescales you imply then any responsible auditor should have qualified the accounts by now. (But they would not be first to fail to do that!) 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noone Posted November 21, 2020 Report Share Posted November 21, 2020 2 minutes ago, Midnight said: Some of the CaRT ground staff are brilliant, some volunteers are friendly and helpful, some admin and regional mangers try their best to sort out issues so I'm not totally anti-CaRT it's just the general direction of flow is disadvantaging navigation. Anyone in this area who cannot fit the gauge for the Standedge tunnel has been trapped in West Yorkshire since August 28 and the maintenance of the Rochdale, Huddersfield & Calder Navigation is poor to say the least. Mr Parry said it's too expensive to retain bank staff but how much does it cost (not just in terms of money) to employ inexperienced contractors and hire tools when needed. So who is calling CaRT to task over those matters? I am in total agreement with you,there are some fine people within crt and the volunteer brigade?...lions led by donkeys comes to mind!!..From my experience,crt are systematically alienating boaters,whom I consider to be the waterways greatest asset.Most of us are here because of our love of the waterways. Unfortunately,whilst the present leadership prevails,I cannot bring myself to volunteer. It seems parry has bought the know-how of running a 3rd rate rail service to the waterways...Paying customers treated like 4th class citizens and just ignored,and the system is falling apart!!? Whilst those at the top fill their pockets. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midnight Posted November 21, 2020 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2020 (edited) 43 minutes ago, Mike Todd said: I have yet to see any significant evidence to support the description 'financial mismanagement' (be careful regarding libel!) which is not a conclusion justified simply because you disagree with their priorities and budgets. mismanagement - the process of managing something badly or wrongly. Toddbrook, logos, signage, cycling, covid, maintenance, tools, pubs, Punchbowl bridge, Edited November 21, 2020 by Midnight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain_S Posted November 21, 2020 Report Share Posted November 21, 2020 6 hours ago, Athy said: (snip) I wish it would lose it's apostrophe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmelly Posted November 21, 2020 Report Share Posted November 21, 2020 4 hours ago, Midnight said: Well so far nothing to excite me into joining NABO. I don't see how changed terms and conditions or Thames signage make my life anywhere near as the hell on earth caused by the stoppages we suffer here in Yorkshire. I'm not anti-CaRT just anti letting the system decline due to financial mismanagement and policies inconsistent with a navigation authority - which I thought they are supposed to be. . To be honest joining clubs isnt at all what I want, be it NABO or any other. In my 31 years living aboard be it BW or CART I find provided you are willing to take some crap in the fact that the system is well over 200 years old then its a good system. I will be cruising again next year and probably will find much of the system is open and useable. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Featured Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now