Government Selling Of Canals And Waterways
THERE’S nothing more relaxing than a walk upon a peaceful riverbank.
Look, what’s that over there – it’s a vole gnawing on some reeds, and there – a mummy duck and her newly-hatched ducklings on their morning swim. But wait, what’s that over there? Why, it’s a bloody great supermarket backing onto the water.
Yes, in its continuing quest to suck the soul out of Britain, the Government are contemplating selling off the nation’s canals and waterways.
British Waterways, the government-controlled body, currently looks after 2,200 miles of canals and rivers with its portfolio recently valued at over £500 million. However, the government estimate that all the towpaths and land alongside Britain’s canals could be sold for around £1 billion.
British Waterways currently relies on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) but is eager to become less dependent on the body and seek more commercial freedom and any sale of such prime land would no doubt attract the major property developers and the ubiquitous supermarkets.
Expect to be shopping in Sainsbury’s in a gondola before too long.
The council in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea are doing their bit to stem the tide of corporate imperialism by making a stand against chains such as Starbucks and Costa Coffee.
Posted: 24th, May 2007 | In: Money Comment (1) | TrackBack | Permalink
