CaRT trustee answers NbW reports

I'd like to comment on some of the recent narrowboatworld reports, relates John Dodwell, a volunteer Trustee of the Canal & River Trust.

And someone who attended his first protest rally in 1962 (Woking on the Basingstoke), who helped restore the Stourbridge, Kennet & Avon, Upper Avon, Peak Forest and Ashton and who now owns an old BCN tug drawing 3 ft.

Trent & Mersey breach and appeal

The suggestion of an Appeal came from a member of one of the local Waterway Partnerships—what did people expect the Trust to do? Reject the idea? But that's not what charities do. Charities do launch appeals—the National Trust website shows they have 10 running at present. As Jo James stated (narrowboatworld 1st October), whether people chose to contribute is a personal affair—just the same as whether they become a Friend.

As Belinda Davenport wrote (narrowboatworld 3rd October) the Appeal—and the same is true of the Friends scheme—is aimed not just at boaters but at others users. Feedback I get shows far more boaters support the idea of the Appeal than dislike it. Boaters often say they'd like other users to pay. Now, here's a way to achieve that. But then do I detect a feeling that some people think this is wrong too? Tricky! Anyway, many thanks to the Trent & Mersey Canal Society who've donated £1,000 and the Birkenhead Young Mens' Christian Association for their £250.

Announced

The breach was announced when it occurred on 26 September. Ralph Freeman's announcement (narrowboatworld 3rd October) refers to heavy rainfall in the Stone area around the same time, causing water levels to rise by seven inches overnight—now that's quite some rainfall!

Whilst we don't yet know the reasons for the Dutton breach, saturation of the embankment could be one (remember, it's been raining heavily a lot this year). As the under soil there is sandy, once the bank gave way, the damage was worse than it might have been with a firmer base. Now, that's no criticism of the original builders—it's just how they did it in those days. After all, they'd be amazed to know that nearly 250 years later the canal is still in use!

Monitored electronically

As many boaters know, water levels nowadays are monitored electronically and in this case the system is also able to operate a sluice at Anderton. One boater has said this means there's no need for men to rush out in the night lifting flood paddles as we like to think used to happen. Embankments such as these get inspected each month by guys who know the patch—more frequently, if there's reason to be worried. The Trust knows that leaks had not been recorded at Dutton before the deluge. And, at Croxton, the problem isn't a breach—the river has undermined about 50m of the embankment but it hasn't given way.

Repair costs? Initial estimate is £1.5m. Finger in the air estimate is that 1,000 tonnes of material have washed away at Dutton. Comparisons with the Caldon breach aren't valid. A large part of the costs relate to getting access to the site and that varies from case to case. And the cost estimates here relate to two sites, not one as with the Caldon.

Please report

I see David Hymers (narrowboatworld 1st  October) passed Croxton—not Dutton—about a month before where he saw water trickling across the towpath but didn't report it. Please, please will boaters report matters like that to the waterways manager? The manager may well know of the matter but please don't assume so. You guys can, if you wish, be an extra pair of eyes and ears for the waterways you love by letting the Trust know.

Peter Ponting (narrowboatworld 3rd October) suggested that there were enough redundant maintenance boats which could be sold for scrap to produce £1.5m. Well, I haven't counted them up but I rather doubt that. But Peter should be pleased to hear that the new Trust is reviewing the future need for and use of these boats. As with so many things in life, it's a question of balance—no maintenance boats and how do you maintain? The Trust aims to work out where boats should be kept so they are used when needed.