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I have never before been 'heavy' in my welcome to the
National Festival.
This year commentators have noted my pessimism about the
future of the waterways - they ain't heard nothing yet! I would be neglecting
my duty if I did not use the opportunity to alert you to the dire problems the
waterways are about to face.
I became chairman when the waterways were enjoying their own
'never had it so good' years.
Now they face threats the likes of which we have not seen
for decades.
The very contiguity of the system is threatened by
government spending plans, where I suspect the personal ambitions of a few of
the most senior politicians outweigh any detriment to the waterways which their
plans might cause.
Previous administrations have cheerfully flaunted how many
people live by or near waterways: how many work beside the waterways: how many
take their leisure on or by the waterways.
To Milliband and Gordon Brown I say, "Remember the numbers
and be afraid." I remind them of how articulate the waterway movement has been
in campaigns for the past sixty years, and suggest they should be very afraid.
But you have come to enjoy the waterways while you still
can. |
