Bone of contention

I entirely agree with John Morgan's comments (Schools and boaters) about the rights of boaters' children to attend school, writes Martin Howes.

The point of all this correspondence, which John Morgan and lots of others have deliberately fudged has slipped under the radar in his reply. He is at great pains to point out that the payment of council taxes is not a necessity, and that facilities such as water and sewage are supplied by CaRT and are paid for by the licence fee.

Absolve himself

It is this licence that is the bone of contention. A boater cannot expect to absolve himself of any responsibilities to his family by purchasing a licence that does not permit to use his boat in contravention of the regulations under which it is issued.

This is a problem that is not limited to canals and rivers. We have seen many examples of other sections of the travelling community who persistently flout planning and other legislation, such as the use of unlicensed and uninsured road vehicles.

Antisocial abuses

Until Government grasps the nettle the onus will fall upon other agencies to attempt to control these antisocial abuses, with the local battles that arise between both sides of the arguments.

Until CaRT decide upon a positive definition of its rules, no legislation can be forthcoming, and those of us ‘bona fide' cruisers will have to put up with the abuse of facilities that impact upon our enjoyment of the network.