Petitions and Continuous Moorers

I RECKON this subject has truly run its course and Peter Pontin has hit the nail right on the head. (Ridiculous petition wording). Time to close it off perhaps? Writes Kevin McNiff.

Because between those who genuinely follow the rules and where needed, communicate with enforcement officers when a need arises to remain an agreed longer time in one spot (not place you note!) and those who pay nothing but stay in one spot or another close by, against the rules and whinge that their human rights to a free ride are in jeopardy, is another large group of boaters who do have a mooring, albeit only long-term; they pay all cruising and mooring fees and are therefore largely left alone because it is understood that they represent a positive face to canal users and security in locations that would otherwise attract unwanted attention.

Large communes

This last group are also continuous moorers but don't attract the stigma that large communes in London and on the Kennet & Avon Canal do.

I remember back in 1982-5 when Oxford City Council berated British Waterways for allowing continuous mooring on the Hythe Bridge Street Arm in Oxford, the 'ping pong' went between British Waterways trying to throw them off, but when the boaters asked the council for housing, a compromise was reached whereby the arm was made residential. Water, Elsan and telephone points were installed and postal deliveries made. Oh, and a fee was levied which many of the existing 'residents' objected to and buggered off up to Frenchay and St Edward's lift bridges.

Quite unpleasant

An almost two miles stretch of canal was made quite unpleasant, and to this day, many boaters avoid the last three miles from Wolvercote by going via the Thames to Osney. Then, as if by magic, it morphed into the Agenda 21 group above Wolvercote Lock
with water taps and Elsan disposal point under the heading 'Low Impact Residential Mooring'.

It may not be the solution CaRT and others want, but it could provide the basis for acceptance and regularisation in some places.