Double U-turn for CaRT!

WITHIN minutes of the narrowboatworld article ‘CaRT still bullying?', the Canal & River Trust (CaRT) has made a spectacular U-turn, writes Allan Richards.

The Trust has admitted that the ‘clear response' document it had assured national boating groups six weeks ago was being drafted does not exist!

FOI Act request

Prior to the article, a request was made under the Freedom of Information Act. In full the request read:

‘Dear Canal & River Trust,

I refer to the notes of the meeting held in Milton Keynes on 19 January 2015 between representatives of the National Boating Associations and CaRT.

In 'the current information relating to boaters without a home mooring are: 16% of c.5,400 CC-ers were recorded cruising within a range of <5kms, and 66% in a range of <20 kms'.

and later:

'RP and DY agreed that the Trust should develop a clear response to the question ‘how far should I travel to comply?', and this is being drafted'.

Unfortunately, I am unable to find that 'clear response' in are vision to your 'Guidance for boaters without a home mooring' your licence enforcement web page or your announcement of February

Please provide via whatdotheyknow.com -

A copy of your clear response to the question 'how far should I travel to comply?'

How far?

The narrowboatworld article stated:

‘The notes of Boating Organisations Meeting with CaRT on 19th Jan 2015 include ‘RP (Richard Parry, Chief Executive) and DY (Denise Yelland, Head of Enforcement) agreed that the Trust should develop a clear response to the question ‘How far should I travel to comply?', and this is being drafted'.

The letter is, of course, the place to answer that question such that boaters know what the Trust expects of them'.

Did not exist

Within minutes of the article's publication the Trust admitted that the document it claimed was being drafted did not exist—‘In response to your request last week for "A copy of your clear response to the question 'how far should I travel to comply?'" I can confirm that there is no such document in existence'.

Bearing in mind its failure to gain acceptance from boating organisations regarding ‘how far should I travel' and its subsequent assertion that it would provide its own ‘clear response' this represents a spectacular U-turn for CaRT.

The other U-turn

Such has been the indignation of boaters being sent letters which suggest they may be non compliant (without giving any information on what they need to do to be compliant) many have missed CaRT's second U-turn.

The Trust's assertion is that ‘16 % of c.5,400 CC-ers were recorded cruising within a range of <5kms, and 66% in a range of <20 kms'. It suggests that only one third of those without a home mooring are compliant!

However, the letter being sent out to boaters says ‘The majority of boaters who declare that they will continuously cruise do what is required without any problem'.

Perhaps CaRT can explain if the minority or majority of boaters are compliant.

Petition has 15,000 signatories

In the meantime, the petition to prevent the refusal of licences for those without home moorings now has almost 15,000 signatories.

... all bad publicity for the Trust.