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* been boating for 35 years including 15 years living afloat  

* cruised extensively, including lesser used waterways such  as the BCN

* been involved through the RBOA in achieving greater recognition of residential boating

* worked towards formalising residential moorings and developing new ones 

* supported boating interests through major involvement in IWA and Canal Societies 

* played a part in increasing navigable waterways through restoration of the Droitwich Canals 

* argue for the primacy of navigation and boating as benefitting all waterways users

* continue to champion the total heritage of the inland waterways

* make the case for responsible residential boating as a major benefit to CRT

* fight for the survival and regeneration of lesser used parts of the system

* campaign for boating activities to be made accessible and affordable for all sectors of society

* negotiate for maintenance including dredging to the highest possible navigable standards

So those are the basic points that I want to get over to electors but 150 words doesn’t allow for any explanation and I wanted to cover as much as possible of my past experience as well as commitments for the future, if elected.  The Soundings  Editor has asked me to amplify these and explain the key points for the benefit of readers.  Those who have read the Boaters’ Manifesto (see http://boatersmanifesto.weebly.com/) may also be aware of the suggestion that candidates should give their views on this document, and although I don’t intend to respond to this formally, I have included some comments on the relevant points.

By primacy of navigation I mean that although CRT must fully engage with all interests, navigation and the presence of boats are the very essence of the waterways and without them the major attraction will be lost.  All visitors enjoy seeing boats, particularly on the move.  You only need to observe the crowds gathered around a flight of locks. Boats ensure that the quality of the waterways is maintained; without them we have all seen the deterioration to a rubbish filled shallow ditch. Hence boaters need to be listened to, - point 1 of the Boaters’ Manifesto (BM).

Heritage is something about which I have always been passionate; as with the first point it is essential that we do not lose it.  Heritage is the link between the commercial carrying days, without which nothing would have happened, and the leisure use of today, not forgetting the continuing opportunity for freight in the future.   The word ‘total’ in my statement means just that, the canals and rivers, locks and bridges, boats and their traditions, and small but vital artefacts; not just a few listed structures.  This is why the waterways are unique as a whole.  The National Heritage Group that I am on has had a major influence in ensuring that the difficult balance has been addressed between achieving income from  BW property and protecting the heritage. I also have responsibility for heritage on the WM Waterways Partnership, which has acknowledged it as high on the agenda.

The case for responsible residential boating is something that RBOA has obviously campaigned for throughout its history.  By ‘responsible’ I mean those who are prepared to live as good neighbours, pay their way within their financial constraints and respect the quality of the environment in which they are privileged to live.  (My much used comment: that we don’t all have expensive boats but a tin of B&Q paint doesn’t cost the earth).  I certainly support point 8 of the BM and as with RBOA would have hoped for a dedicated residential representative on CRT Council.  That has not been the case, but if elected, I will do my utmost to make up for this.  In answer to point 5 of the BM, I will continue to work within RBOA to rationalise mooring regulations across the system, particularly as related to residential moorings.

One of my concerns about the future of the CRT is that successful, well used waterways will prosper and attract more funding, whilst less used ones will deteriorate. It is up to all boaters to cruise wherever possible ALL canals and rivers.  My first point applies equally to the large population around the BCN who rarely see boats.  I will argue that such waterways need more and not less maintenance, or we will find that deteriorating navigation standards lead to less boat traffic, leads to worse navigation, leads to ….

Accessible and affordable is not just about everyone being able to own a boat.  There are many other ways of encouraging people onto the water: trailable craft, better use of community boats, day boats and camping boats for younger people.  I am well aware that affordability is a major concern for residential boaters, many of whom are on limited fixed budgets.   We cannot expect to be immune from the current financial difficulties facing everyone, but I will try to ensure that increases are kept in line with the cost of living (point 8 of the BM).

My final point relates back to the primacy of navigation.  Reduced maintenance would escalate a deterioration in navigable standards which may be impossible to recover in future years.  I see the current lack of dredging as a major challenge facing CRT; all boaters will be aware of this.  We must continue to argue for additional government funding to be made available to tackle the problem.  I understand BM point 2, although in reality there will never be adequate funding available. In answer to BM point 6, if elected I will campaign for greater funding from local government and private commerce to recognise the benefits that the waterways provide to their communities.

Apologies to Soundings readers, particularly those not on BW waters, for this lengthy discourse, but it is important for all residential boaters that we make the right decision now.