More abandoned boats cleared off the Thames

THERE HAS BEEN a joint effort between the Environment Agency, Elmbridge Borough Council and Surrey Police to clear unregistered and abandoned boats off the Thames.

This started on Monday 24th March with many boats being removed, Roger Fox reports.

Gain more respect

This joint enforcement operation started along the river in Elmbridge, it is told, in an attempt to gain more respect for the waterway.. There was also an operation around Hurst Park in Molesey, removing smaller sunken boats left in the water as well as those abandoned by their owners.

The police, backing the clear-up also served trespass notices and fly-tipping enforcement notices.

Warnings were also issued to remove possessions while checking registrations.

Councillor Simon Waugh, deputy leader of Elmbridge Borough Council, explained:

“We fully appreciate the disturbance caused to our residents by unauthorised moorings along this stretch of the river. We recently held a public meeting in Molesey, and we heard directly from those impacted residents.”

Will do all we can

The councillor the went on to say that the council vowed to do 'all we can' in collaboration with the Environment Agency to ensure the area’s rivers are used safely and legally, with Simon Waugh adding:

“This operation follows similar action in September and October last year. Thank you to the Environment Agency, Surrey Police, and Surrey County Council for their support with this action.

”After their crackdown on clearing up the waterways, advice and guidance on boat registration and oil and waste disposal, as well as homelessness, were provided to those currently dwelling on the river."

The image of a boat being towed away is by Elmbridge Borough Council.