Reminder of a Remainder

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Reminder of a Remainder

Tuesday, 29 July 2008 18:39

I was thinking last night that there have been a number of criticisms of the Kennet and Avon canal recently. Some of these we heartily agree with. However it is worth remembering that the K & A is still a "Remainder Waterway" and does not have "Cruiseway Status".

Effectively this means that BW does not have such a responsibility to maintain the canal or even keep it open for navigation, but must treat it in the most economical way possible. (Transport Act 1968) However, the classification could be changed and many businesses on the canal have campaigned for a change in status. In fact Robin Evans was asked at the recent meeting in Devizes when and if they would be changing the status as BW has promised for a number of years. The answer was, not in the immediate future.

This is why those who live and work by or on the canal become concerned when the canal and its environment is not respected by visitors and even by those who regard it as home. Why regular boaters get cross when boats speed on the canal damaging the banks, flora and endangering the fauna. Why everyone is touchy about leaving paddles open, wasting water and damaging structures.

Yes the lock gear can be difficult, yes the lock gates may have seen better days, yes there are a lack of available visitor moorings, yes there are lots of "continuous moorers". But hey - it is a beautiful canal, a wonderful environment and one that needs to be used and respected.

However it is better to "be laid back" and most to be appreciated in a relaxed, leisurely way. Those that have a limited time on the canal need to understand its problems and maybe hire companies should not give their customers unrealistic expectations of "out and back" or one way routes in a week or two.

We have really enjoyed our sojourn on the K & A and meeting those who live and work here. We have seen it in all weathers, in all seasons and seen some of the problems. We try to remember that the canals are an historic memorial to those who had the vision to create them in the first place. Our particular thanks must go to those visionaries who restored the canal, finally reopening it fully on August 8th 1990.

We are privileged to be part of the present and future of our canal system and look forward to being leisurely users of our Inland Waterways.