Chris_d
regular
Reged: 15/06/2001
Posts: 1617
Loc: Oxfordshire
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I think the Thames needs to be given some kind of "National Park" or "Heritage site" status and a new way of funding it found. Perhaps local authorities would be charged to maintain parts in their region in a similar way that they have to maintain roads etc... however sounds a bit uncoordinated, a body such as the old Thames Conservancy would be needed to set certain standards. However there do seem to be some advantages to a large organisation like the EA, for example pulling the survey vessel off coastal duties to survey the shoals on the river.
Trouble is money has to come from somewhere and there just aint enough to go round at the moment 
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DogsBody
regular
Reged: 19/02/2003
Posts: 389
Loc: Thames
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Quote:
Quote:
We are having to face large license increases year upon year, yet the EA give little in return.
Council Tax seems to rise year on year with a decreasing level of service so whats different?
How do you propose to resolve the problem?
(Serious question and not being flippant.)
Don't think my council tax has gone up 12% and to be fair to them, at last they seem to be resurfacing some of the roads around here so I can get to work without needing a land rover.
As to how to resolve the problem of river funding, to be honest I don't know what the solution is but selling assets for a quick cash injection doesn't sound like the right answer.
I think the general consensus is that the EA need extra funding from government / council level.
Darren.
--------------------
www.braycruiserclub.co.uk
Help save your local lock keeper www.saveourservice.org
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Redski
new user
Reged: 26/04/2008
Posts: 9
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I have read with great interest the many well informed inputs to this debate. I cannot help but support those whose 'instinct' tells them that selling off or 'renting' lockside' ish properties is wrong. It is wrong for so many reasons operationally but more frustratingly it is wrong because the motive is ,it would appear, short-termist political 'kudos' for those in a position to benefit from that 'kudos'.
Listening to managers who tell us that 'because nothing has changed for so many years ' doesn't mean that what exists is wrong!!!! The EA set out some years ago to encourage more 'annually registered boats onto the river' What happened? How much has been spent on marketing and sales and press promotion? To what effect? How much extra has come back in to the kitty as a result? If the answer is the one I expect then ,if the current users are asked as to where they would prefer having their money spent what do we think the answer would be?
Lockhouses or adverts?
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