Waterways to be sold for £1bn

[fender]

Just read that government is intending to sell off the waterways

 

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/busi...icle1832318.ece

 

http://www.hemscott.com/news/latest-news/i...=43853763743842

[carlt]

Maybe we should have a whipround?

[StoneHenge]

I think we could do that, would be good. Own our own canal and start a wee community there. I'd give a few quid.

[carlt]

Just off topic but both the websites linked are asking me to run 'Quicktimecheck scriptable object'. Anyone know what this is and what'll happen if I allow it?

[fender]

Just off topic but both the websites linked are asking me to run 'Quicktimecheck scriptable object'. Anyone know what this is and what'll happen if I allow it?

 

I dont get that on either webiste, but I wouldnt run that script if I were you. if you have Opera or other browser see if this script tries to come up or not, it might be a security risk

[MartinClark]

Robin Evans of BW has issued a statement about the Times article today.

 

"....Government has asked BW to consider and investigate whether BW’s current institutional form and financial

structure are optimal for the long-term security and success of BW’s inland waterways, or whether alternative

options might better achieve this.

"To do this we are seeking expert advice and so we have put a brief out to a wide range of business

consultants. To carry weight in any subsequent policy discussions we decided that the brief needed to

consider the full range of possible options for British Waterways. For example these could include the status

quo with a long term Government funding contract or a more contemporary structure within the public sector.

It is very important to emphasise that it is not the policy of the Board or of Government to privatise British

Waterways.

"We are currently at the tender stage of the review, and so I expect to be able to appoint specialist advisors

during the summer. Their report will take time to prepare, and I don’t expect this to be completed before the

end of 2007.

"If the Review recommends any changes to BW’s current structure it will be for the Board and Government to

consider whether any such changes are desirable and feasible. In doing so, it would, I am sure, conduct

public consultation.

"The review seeks to continue the success of British Waterways and the renaissance of the canals and rivers

we care for. As the review takes shape I will keep you up to date on the progress and we will be working

with Government to make sure it helps us secure the long term future of the waterways for public benefit."

[carlt]

Privatisation it is then.

[grunders]

Will we all have to pay tolls to travel, do you think?

 

I'm not really sure whether I'm joking or not.

Edited May 24, 2007 by grunders

[Bobphilips]

Just off topic but both the websites linked are asking me to run 'Quicktimecheck scriptable object'. Anyone know what this is and what'll happen if I allow it?

 

It's part of Googles Adsense scheme. Should be relatively harmless. Has been popping up on all sorts of sites that use Adsense.

[carlt]

Will we all have to pay tolls to travel, do you think?

 

I'm not really sure whether I'm joking or not.

Possibly. They were standard practice prior to nationalisation.

 

 

It's part of Googles Adsense scheme. Should be relatively harmless. Has been popping up on all sorts of sites that use Adsense.

Thanks. As anything that adds content slows down my pathetic GPRS connection, it will be ignored.

[magnetman]

Is anyone actually surprised? Anyone fancy setting up a company to bid for the guc, we could call it the grand union canal company and make some profits by collecting license and mooring payment and yes tolls sound good too. The system needs to go back to individual companies or die slowly.

[fender]

It's part of Googles Adsense scheme. Should be relatively harmless. Has been popping up on all sorts of sites that use Adsense.

 

Perhaps thats what it was though I must admit I have never had this adsense stuff

 

(poss due to pop up blocks? dunno!)

 

By the way just a short snippet from the Wolves Express & Star (not a full article unles you pay subs) - they seem to think any sale will put the towpaths (and canalside land) in jeopardy.

 

http://www.expressandstar.co.uk/2007/05/24...ff-in-pipeline/

Edited May 24, 2007 by fender

[Cris P]

This is a nightmare waiting to happen. It must not be allowed !

[NB Alnwick]

At least this time round the canals will not be taken over by cash-rich railway companies as they were in the 19th Century . . .

 

Edited to say: Unless, of course, the nationalised and successful rail companies of some of our EU partners were to show an interest?

Edited May 24, 2007 by NB Alnwick

[Mrhigherbeing]

This has been on the cards for ages, not news to many people really.

 

Though I tell you this, its not good for us boaters, its not good at all! Only those with big finances will be able to do what we are currently doing. Basically speaking it means the canals are going to have to make money, that money will go into the corporate pocket instead of the canal and they will cut as much corners as possible in that pursuit.

 

Anything that is not profitable will die.

[Eugene Baston]

Hi all

 

 

Good to see that Martin has beaten me to it with BW's response to this Times article. Just to be sure, here's the FULL version, along with a link to BW's web site if you would prefer to read it there.

 

thanks, Eugene

 

Link:

 

http://www.britishwaterways.co.uk/newsroom...ss_Section.html

 

I think it is right that I should write to all of our waterway stakeholders about an article in today’s Business Section of The Times newspaper, which suggests that British Waterways could be privatised. I want to explain the background about the review to which it refers. You will be aware that press coverage sometimes tends to emphasise the sensational. The article can be viewed here: http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/busi...icle1832318.ece

 

Many of you will know (it was referred to several times at Efra sub committee sessions, for instance), that Government has asked BW to consider and investigate whether BW’s current institutional form and financial structure are optimal for the long-term security and success of BW’s inland waterways, or whether alternative options might better achieve this.

 

To do this we are seeking expert advice and so we have put a brief out to a wide range of business consultants. To carry weight in any subsequent policy discussions we decided that the brief needed to consider the full range of possible options for British Waterways. For example these could include the status quo with a long term Government funding contract or a more contemporary structure within the public sector. It is very important to emphasise that it is not the policy of the Board or of Government to privatise British Waterways.

 

We are currently at the tender stage of the review, and so I expect to be able to appoint specialist advisors during the summer. Their report will take time to prepare, and I don’t expect this to be completed before the end of 2007.

 

If the Review recommends any changes to BW’s current structure it will be for the Board and Government to consider whether any such changes are desirable and feasible. In doing so, it would, I am sure, conduct public consultation.

 

The review seeks to continue the success of British Waterways and the renaissance of the canals and rivers we care for. As the review takes shape I will keep you up to date on the progress and we will be working with Government to make sure it helps us secure the long term future of the waterways for public benefit.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

 

ROBIN EVANS

Chief Executive

[John Orentas]

"To do this we are seeking expert advice and so we have put a brief out to a wide range of business consultants".

"So I expect to be able to appoint specialist advisor's during the summer".

 

Nothing changes does it, how much is all this going to cost us, I thought the personnel at BW were supposed to be the experts. The spending culture is endemic.

[carlt]

Hi all

Good to see that Martin has beaten me to it with BW's response to this Times article. Just to be sure, here's the FULL version, along with a link to BW's web site if you would prefer to read it there.

 

thanks, Eugene

 

Link:

 

http://www.britishwaterways.co.uk/newsroom...ss_Section.html

 

I think it is right that I should write to all of our waterway stakeholders about an article in today’s Business Section of The Times newspaper, which suggests that British Waterways could be privatised. I want to explain the background about the review to which it refers. You will be aware that press coverage sometimes tends to emphasise the sensational. The article can be viewed here: http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/busi...icle1832318.ece

 

Many of you will know (it was referred to several times at Efra sub committee sessions, for instance), that Government has asked BW to consider and investigate whether BW’s current institutional form and financial structure are optimal for the long-term security and success of BW’s inland waterways, or whether alternative options might better achieve this.

 

To do this we are seeking expert advice and so we have put a brief out to a wide range of business consultants. To carry weight in any subsequent policy discussions we decided that the brief needed to consider the full range of possible options for British Waterways. For example these could include the status quo with a long term Government funding contract or a more contemporary structure within the public sector. It is very important to emphasise that it is not the policy of the Board or of Government to privatise British Waterways.

 

We are currently at the tender stage of the review, and so I expect to be able to appoint specialist advisors during the summer. Their report will take time to prepare, and I don’t expect this to be completed before the end of 2007.

 

If the Review recommends any changes to BW’s current structure it will be for the Board and Government to consider whether any such changes are desirable and feasible. In doing so, it would, I am sure, conduct public consultation.

 

The review seeks to continue the success of British Waterways and the renaissance of the canals and rivers we care for. As the review takes shape I will keep you up to date on the progress and we will be working with Government to make sure it helps us secure the long term future of the waterways for public benefit.

 

Yours sincerely,

ROBIN EVANS

Chief Executive

 

Privatisation it is then.

[bottle]

"To do this we are seeking expert advice and so we have put a brief out to a wide range of business consultants".

"So I expect to be able to appoint specialist advisor's during the summer".

 

Nothing changes does it, how much is all this going to cost us, I thought the personnel at BW were supposed to be the experts. The spending culture is endemic.

 

Took the words right out of my mouth

 

 

Privatisation it is then.

 

Took the words right out of my mouth

 

 

Where are my pills, I agree with John and Carl

[carlt]

Where are my pills, I agree with John and Carl

The truly frightening thing is that you agree with me and John on the same topic which means me and John agree! Pass the pills over here when you've finished with them.

 

The Robin Evans statement sings like those "The manager has my full support and will be here next season" statements that football club chairmen make the day before a sacking.

[tony collins]

What about all those catergoric denials that BW was being prepared for privatisation - Bloody Liars the lot of 'em!

 

Tony

 

 

 

 

edit: spotted a shpelling erry

Edited May 24, 2007 by tony collins

[Adam]

And what about the people that live on the edge of two canals? Oh im just going to pop along the cut and empty out rubbish but oh no i have to pay a toll to get onto the other canal and pay a toll to get back here. Fair enough privitisation but not tolls just one company running the whole canal system.

[GRPCruiserman]

You may find someone like Rubert Murdoch or Richard Branson buy them up, then you would have to buy your boat from them, have a special encryption system to use it, pay them ever increasing licence fees (no change there then) to use the canals, and pay them when your boat went wrong to get a new 'approved' boat.

 

Worse, it could become 'Easycanal' and we may have to all paint all boats orange.

 

At least if they float (appropriate!!) British Waterways on the Stock exchange, it would give boaters a chance to buy and own some of the canal, but I bet dividends would be low.

 

I think the former would be most likely, and then as a privately owned company, you would have to do as you were told, you would have no say in how the canals were run at all, just like if you visit say a gym, you would HAVE to obey the rules or be thrown out. Towpaths would only be open to fee-paying walkers and cyclists, and moorings, licences, and marina accesses would all be raised to market value.

 

I am SO SO glad I sold my boat when I did, if licence fees rise to market value, which I think would be about eight times what they are now given the grant in aid at it's current rate, the thought of paying £3200 a year for a 25 foot boat would be impossible, and the value of the boat would plummet.

 

Be warned, if thi happens, the value of your boat WILL be affected, as then only the VERY rich will be able to afford licence and moorings, just like has happened in marinas on the south coast, and to a lesser extent as happened on Windermere in the 1990s prior to speed limit days (it's now gone cheap again as everyone has left).

 

It's the final nail in the coffin of affordable canal boating, I have stopped walking by the canal as it now gets me pretty depressed, and will stick to my tidal useage and my caravan.

 

The canals do not 'belong' to British Waterways, but are managed by them on behalf of the taxpaying public. How dare they sell off publicly owned assetts to the highest bidder; OH, that already happened with British Waterways Marinas, didn't it, but no money changed hands.

 

I beleive that this has been the plan for many years, and the past few years' activities have been carefully planned to lead up to this, the increased costs, the DEFRA business, and the rumours about the mooring auction.

 

The canals should be taken back from these scoundrels that have decided upon this, at least the section 8 legislation could not apply to a limited company, or indeed a private owner, as normal laws would become applicable, so not paying the licence would be a lot easier, so perhaps that is the way forward.

 

BW will NEVER get another penny out of me, that's for sure.

[Bobphilips]

With this highlighted on the horizon surely it is time for canal users, of all types, to band together and make their voice heard. Someone has mentioned the prospect of groups being formed to help purchase some of these assests for canal users and to be fun by canal users.

 

Are the actual canals being sold or just assets along the banks. I am led to believe there is a lot of land that could be utilised better. So, again, canal users need to make their voices heard and think of some constructive ways that change can occur.

 

Influence the future for the better.

 

Just a thought.

[Denis R]

With this highlighted on the horizon surely it is time for canal users, of all types, to band together and make their voice heard.

Isn't this where the IWA should jump in somewhat pronto?