I FOUND your news that the Kennet & Avon Canal had been closed nine times in such a short time absolutely shocking, writes James Henry.
Every single closure caused by something 'giving up the ghost' as Victor well puts it, and I agree it is shameful that the canal has been allowed to deteriorate so much that we have to think twice about using it for fear of another stoppage.
Good maintenance
I first cruised this canal in May 2001, when there were no landing stages at many of the early locks, and the swing bridges filled with old railway lines were extraordinary heavy, but there were no stoppages while we were there for many months, which must point to good maintenance.
Even after this, stoppages on the waterway as I remember were very few and far between, and certainly nothing like today, which leaves me to believe that Victor is right with his 'wait until it breaks' suggestion of CaRT's attitude now.
Lack of money
It of course blames lack of money, but when you look around at the things it now does like painting duck lanes on the towpaths and its fancy notices welcoming visitors to its waterway, and not forgetting all the non-waterway jobs it has created is there any wonder? And did it really have to move offices from Watford to Milton Keynes, after it had already had a previous move of offices? And it is changing its other offices yet again, all costing money, and for what purpose?
No opposition
The great problem is that there is absolutely no opposition to anything it does. The Inland Waterways Association should be objecting to much, but it is now 'hand in hand' with CaRT so never says a thing...
If I may use another of Victor's sayings—'What a bloody mess!'
[Thank you for your further words, but alas we do not publish self-aclaim!]