HACKNEY COUNCIL have given moored boaters in its jurisdiction freedom from its proposed Smoke Control Order.
After deputations from boaters moored in its jurisdiction who use stoves for heating, the authority decided not to apply the new smoke controls to boats, the reason it gives is that there were different circumstances that apply to boaters, who do not have the same choices of heating as those living off the waterways.
Local councils have the power
The Environment Act 2021 removed a partial exemption for vessels from the Clean Air Act 1993, so that local councils have the power to apply or revoke Smoke Control Areas to vessels moored within their jurisdiction, with Hackney Council explaining that it considered the objections it received from moored boaters.
It was in May of this year that the council's cabinet approved a new Smoke Control Order to apply borough-wide, that comes into force on the 1st December 2025.
The good news for boaters is that Hackney, with other London boroughs, are involved in a project to engage liveaboard boaters to discover more about current heating methods and the challenges faced in transitioning to cleaner fuels.