River Lea boaters unite against British Waterways ‘crackdown’
Some boaters believe the intention is to 'cleanse' the waterways in time for the Olympics. Photo: Hackney Citizen
Plans by British Waterways to divide the River Lea into ‘neighbourhoods’ and start charging boaters up to £40 a day if they stay in one area for more than two weeks are being met with fury by the local boat community.
British Waterways say the proposals are being put forward as a response to a large increase in the number of boats mooring up on the river for lengthy periods over the last few years, and argue that this has led to “detrimental effects on the amenity of local people and other waterway users.”
However, Rupert Kenyon of the London Boaters community said of the proposal: “The London boat community in Hackney could soon be history if proposed British Waterways plans are brought into force in advance of the Olympics.
“The plans chop the whole of the River Lea, from Limehouse right up to Hertford, into just four ‘neighbourhoods’ in which the time spent by boats would be limited over the course of a year, with overstays charged at up to £40 a day.
“The plans would make it basically impossible to live and work in London, and be part of a community whilst cruising the waterways. Many of us believe this is the intention: to ‘cleanse’ the waterways in time for the Olympics, decimating boaters’ lives in the process and meaning homelessness for some.”
In a statement, British Waterways said: “We were questioned on the extent to which the Olympics are a driver for the proposals. The issue of boaters with Continuous Cruiser licences overstaying on visitor moorings is not restricted to the River Lea and we are taking steps elsewhere to balance the needs of all waterways users, most notably on the western end of the Kennet & Avon Canal. Specifically regarding the Olympics, the moorings in question are outside of the Olympic Park and, in any case, the navigation in and around the Park is almost certainly going to be heavily restricted by the Olympic security authorities.
“We acknowledge that our past relaxed control of moorings on the Lea area waterways has been responsible for the emergence of what we now see as a problem … However, as in any walk of life, individuals are responsible for compliance with the law, and in purchasing a boat licence, boaters agree to abide by licence terms and conditions.
“There may be different views on the extent to which there is currently an imperative to curb growth in the number of boats on the river without home moorings, but there can be little doubt that continued growth will lead to reduction in amenity for both land and water-based communities. A practical plan for moorings is therefore essential.”
The local boating community is pulling together to fight the proposals, and have formed an association to oppose the plan. Hackney residents who use the towpath are being encouraged to contribute their opinion before the close of the consultation period on 4 April.