Tree cutting confusion
FURTHER details have emerged concerning British Waterways' tree cutting programme this winter, writes Allan Richards.
Operations director, Vince Moran informed the British Waterways Board in September that the majority of £3m additional funds allocated to maintenance this year would be used during the winter to address a backlog of potentially higher risk trees.
Waterway minister responds
In replying to a coroners 'rule 43' report following the death of Wendy Brennan (Another fine mess 23/1/2012), Waterways Minister, Richard Benyon told him that British Waterways had carried out an urgent investigation into its tree management systems adding: 'They concluded that their tree management system was thorough and robust, a conclusion which I understand has been supported by the Health and Safety Executive'.
However, British Waterways now say they do not have an internal report which justifies that conclusion. Furthermore, they do not even have a report from the Health & Safety Executive which supports it. Worse still (and perhaps unknown to the minister) it attempted to have the coroner withdraw his report and rewrite it, it has been discovered.
Major failing
At face value, it would seem that the major failing of British Waterways' tree management system was not identifying high risk tress but actually dealing with them in a timely manner.
Perhaps, the minister should write again to the coroner and apologise, stating he was misinformed, and that tree management is not thorough and robust as told. He could always report that British Waterways is carrying out an emergency tree cutting programme this winter valued at £2.2m to address the issue...
Cover up
But why the cover up? And why have British Waterways Board and transition trustees been kept completely in the dark regarding the coroners rule 43 report?
The answer could be greed. The fat cats bonus can be withheld if the Board (or trustee) remuneration committee is not satisfied regarding performance on Health & Safety.
It's as simple as that!