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Region Chair Report Page
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Editorial
Welcome to the Autumn edition of Cargoes. So far Summer has been hotter than some are able to cope with, so I hope you were able to still enjoy your time on or near our waterways.; It has been lovely to read the reports coming in about the number of events that have taken place so far this year – with many more to come. One challenge all event managers have had is finding sufficient volunteers to help run the event. If you can help, in any way, please let us know. I hope you have a pleasant Autumn on, in and around our Sunset over Windsor Racecourse waterways.
Photo: John Jones Chris Jones – Editor
From the Region Chair
When the Environment Agency is warning of possible restrictions to lock use on the River Thames due to looming water shortages, it also means that waterways with less reliable water supplies, such as the Basingstoke are in trouble. Following three dry winters the aquifers are severely depleted, leading to the closure of whole sections due to low water levels. A similar pattern can be seen further north. Perhaps not the best year to have planned a long cruise. I am pleased to report that the most recent meeting of the small Thames User Group saw a welcome level of engagement from EA staff. Members of the group stated their wish to contribute to timely solutions for the water points, broken pump-out facilities, and lock manning issues. Elsewhere, the water leakage on Crookham Deeps on the Basingstoke still awaits a complete solution and the bank slippage problems above Odiham are yet to resolved, several years after the initial issue was highlighted. It is a complex problem, but it is not improving while the County Council makes a decision about remedial works. It is an unfortunate reality that canals will always need mending because they are artificial structures which are subject to degradation through time. I wish you a great autumn, and hope to see you at the Festival of Water at Burton On Trent over the August Bank Holiday, Oxford Canal Day on the 17th September and Banbury Canal Festival over the weekend of the 1st and 2nd October.
