The end for Castle Mill Stream boaters

THE boaters who have taken over Castle Mill Stream that runs parallel to the Oxford Canal in the city look likely to be moved out, if its ownership can be established.

Self-styled as the Communities Land Organisation, 10 boaters have taken over a length of the Stream of about 100 yards, with the boats even including two rafts, paying no licence or mooring fees as its ownership is in doubt, Alan Tilbury tells us.

Complained

It was last September that the boaters decided to lay claim to the stream (Another attempt to grab river bank) but such is the mess they have created that residents have complained time and time again. Now, the authorities are to make an effort to move them away, though the boaters are threatening to move further along the navigational part of the Stream if they are.

The photograph published by the Oxford Mail, shows the state of part of the Stream, with detritus all along the 100 yards length.

Two possible owners

The argument the boaters put forward is that the land is unregistered, so is not owned, and is not under Canal & River Trust ownership. This leaves two possible owners—Network Rail or Oxford City Council, and plans are afoot to discover who is the owner, so that action can be taken.