"As the representative of the group most directly affected, I had better begin", said Stuart Sampson, Chair of the National Association of Boat Owners, who went on to say that boaters might accept the increases more readily if there were promises of 'matched funding' from other categories of waterway users, or at least more outward signs that BW was pursuing that goal. He likened BW to "a starving child only able to reach the bottom shelf of the pantry - the boat owners".
David Dunning, Chairman of The Boating Association , took up the theme by describing the current 'consultation' as a "fait accompli", reinforcing that message by pointing out that BW had already implemented one of the 'options' supposedly up for discussion, namely that hire boat operators would not have to shoulder any of the increased burden.
Robin Evans took issue with the criticism of the consultation and pointed out that 'how much was to be raised from whom' was his decision. He was paid to run a £200 million pound business and`couldn't do it purely by consultation.
This opens up a wider issue as to the effectiveness of the British Waterways Advisory Forum (BWAF), at whose meeting on the 7th of November the above debate took place. BWAF came into being on 11th May 2005 to give BW's stake-holders access to BW at Board level to discuss strategic policy. It is 'owned' by user and stake-holder groups, electing its own officers who decide the agenda with input from both sides. The latest meeting also elected the Forum's second chairman, Nigel Stevens, who runs Shire Cruisers in West Yorkshire, keeping the post within the trade constituency. The previous chairman being Howard Pridding from the British Marine Federation. Nigel's opponent was from the boating lobby and both put themselves forward to ensure BW couldn't accuse its stake-holders of apathy, even though they both already had heavy commitments.
Stuart feels that the campaign to keep the waterways open must go on for the
public benefit, especially for those who have sunk five figure sums into boats
for which the waterways were originally built and are now quoted as being 'an
integral part of BW's product'. "We need more activists. I ask everybody
to join and actively support the national campaigning organisation that best
suits their aspirations. NABO's is to ensure navigation remains possible, enjoyable
and affordable. Only bodies with subscribing members can be heard through forums
like BWAF and the ground gained by informal campaigning last year must be held
and consolidated."