The second stage of the “Safety Zones” consultation has opened and will take the form of a “bilateral mediated discussion” between two boater representatives and two CRT representatives.

We requested that various boater constituencies with specific vulnerabilities be represented and we requested a direct discussion with the rowers but neither of these requests have been heeded.

Instead of asking boaters to nominate two representatives, two boaters were nominated by Hopkins Van Mil, the facilitators of the consultation. We have indicated that this is unacceptable and have nominated two boaters to represent us, who were voted on by the NBTA.

We have responded to the invitation to the second stage of the consultation with the following questions:

• What is the objective of the bilateral meeting?
• Will the CRT provide granular data concerning safety incidents prior to the meeting?      
• Will the CRT be putting forward new policy proposals in the meeting?
• Will new policy proposals be developed as a result of this meeting? 
• If yes, will feedback on those proposals be sought from stakeholders?  
• What other bilateral meetings are scheduled?
• Will a facilitated bilateral meeting between rowers and boaters be held?
• Will the feedback from the stakeholder engagement form be shared prior to the meeting?
• Will the meeting be audio recorded?
• Will minutes of the meeting be publicly available?

Because the CRT has not provided detailed evidence regarding the alleged safety concerns, or undertaken any genuine investigation, these discussions are unlikely to be fruitful. In order to make progress on this issue, we have proposed that the CRT develop a new proposal that is supported by evidence and based on a dialogue between the affected groups.