Environment Agency gets tough on unlicenced boats

WITH so many boats on the Thames unlicenced the Environment Agency has taken action.

It has removed and scrapped several boats from the river that are not licenced. Janet Friend reports.

Without permission

These include three boats moored without permission on the Thames following an operation along two stretches of the river in Elmbridge and Hurst Park in Molesey that have been illegally moored for a considerable time.

Elmbridge Borough Council Leader told the BBC that people living near the river in Molesey had been 'disturbed' by the boats for many years and enforcement action was needed to ensure the waterway was used safely and legally.

The operation was a joint affair between the Environment Agency and Elmbridge Borough Council with support from Surrey Police. Photo: Elmbridge Borough Council.

Future removal

There are sunken boats that have been surveyed for future removal, some being in the water for a considerable time, similar to the one in the Thames at Oxford as we reported last week.

From time to time the Environment Agency take such action to removed such boats from its waters.