Continuous moorers want permanent moorings

DRIVEN from overstaying on moorings instead of cruising as their continuous cruiser licences define, boaters have formed Hackney Boating Families and expect to have permanent moorings on the Lee at Hackney.

They have applied to Hackney Council for permission to set up a length of 'community moorings' on the river at Daubeney Fields, Mick Fitzgibbons tells us.

Opposition

But this means that there will be boats permanently moored on both banks of the river, severely restricting its width, with the plans meeting opposition from both the Lea Valley Park Authority and the Lea Rowing Club that is based a short distance away.

The boaters want to establish a number of residential moorings complete with facilities including electrics, water and rubbish disposal, with a spokesman telling that the boaters are under threat of eviction from their present moorings by Canal & River Trust, as of course they are not abiding by the continuous cruiser rules and moving as they should.

Stop rowing activities

The rowing club members are particularly concerned at the ever increasing number of boats as 'floating houses' that would severely restrict the width and virtually stop their rowing activities.

Bridget Snaith of the  Rowing Club complained to the Hackney Citizen:

"There has been a huge growth in the number of canal boats and it has started to create a number of problems for the rowing club. If the moorings go ahead they will block the river terminally. It's on our 2,000 metre stretch."

Hackney Council confirm that the application by Hackney Boating Families has received 91 objections and 14 letters of support.