Well Colin, at the moment the big moan on the cut, is the future cost of fuel. Until now, we have been using red diesel at about 40p per litre, soon, we will have to pay road fuel prices at who knows what price by the time we can get back on the water. This is at the behest of the Common Market (or whatever they call the dam thing now) and nothing to do with our government who were happy to leave things as they were. Then there is above inflation price rises for mooring fees and licence fees because British Waterways are under pressure to make the waterways less dependant on grants. A first reaction would be, that's how it should be, but boaters are only a small section of the users of the canal system. What of the walkers and cyclists who use the towpaths, they don't contribute to the cost of maintenance. Alright, we do like to moan a bit, but we do seem to bear an unfair proportion of the costs. The canal system is one linear park, thousands of miles long, criss crossing the country and enjoyed be millions of visitors each year. click here
Peter Wright ● 6702d