Cutting London moorings

NOTWITHSTANDING that Canal & River Trust is 'looking at ways we can improve things through our London Mooring Strategy' to give more boat moorings, it is actually cutting them.

The Trust has told that it is getting rid of the Tower Hamlets public moorings on the Regents Canal as part of the 'regeneration' of the area, yet the moorings will remain—as private moorings at the inflated prices that London moorings now command.

Improve?

It was as recenly as last December that the Trust's Mathew Symonds, Boating Strategy & Engagement Manager, told boaters (Unprecedented pressure on London waterways):

"We are looking at ways we can improve things through our London Mooring Strategy, which aims to address the unique challenges and opportunities of boating in the capital, and these results will help inform its development."

But now it transpires that the Trust is getting rid of the long established Tower Hamlets moorings in the city with them being 'regenerated' into private moorings and thus no longer available to boaters.

Historic wharf

These moorings are on an historic wharf right next to the gas works and used as public moorings for many years, with the boaters using these moorings angry at them to shortly be no longer available, with a public protest to protest at the removal of the moorings.

Marcus Trower, the National Bargee Travellers Association Deputy Chairman protests:

"London has seen so much 'gentrification', where areas have been regenerated, but not regenerated for the people living there already. Many of the people that have lived there for generations have been forced to move out.

"On the waterways, we are seeing much the same. Areas which have been used for years as public spaces for any boat moor up to have been taken away, replaced by private moorings for to a few which have the money to pay for it.

"These public moorings are part of the history of the canal. They should not be made private, they should be open for anyone to use. We are making a stand, we will do anything we can to keep what is public, public!"

Much loved space

Thea Smith, a local boater dweller who supported the protest, tells us:

"The gas works has been a much loved space on the Regents Canal. When I began to live on my boat the gas works was the first place I met people, learned to tie my ropes, and discovered the beautiful community that the canals have to offer. I am in shock, saddened and disheartened by the Canal and River Trust's plans to privatise this space."

Luc Van Helfteren, another local boat dweller who supported the event explained:

'It will be a real shame to lose this lovely idyll in Tower Hamlets to the rising tide of privatisation of our public places, and to see a well established community space ripped from the hands of those who have used it and looked after it for so many years.'

57% increase in demand

With so many people realising that boat living is a way to beat the London house prices, there are now so few moorings available for anyone cruising in the city, with the Trust admitting that there has been a 57% increase in demand since 2012.

One boater, Helen Cripps, who found it impossible to get a mooring when visiting London (Impossible to get a mooring) wrote 'I have just seen your article about the state of moorings on London waterways, and though it is not exactly stated, it is impossible to get a decent mooring nowadays in the city if you are visiting'.

Hardly the time to lose those that are still available.