THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY REALLY gets tough on illegal boats on the Thames.
With its latest crack-down removing nearly 50 boats from the river, Janet Friend reports.
Remove 100 boats
With the EA aiming to remove more than 100 boats by the end of this month, it tells—in a bid to improve the waterway.
It is a new task force that has been formed to clear-up the illegal vessels on the non-tidal Thames, that includes removing unregistered boats or those left at unauthorised moorings, as well as discarded boats.
With Environment Agency navigation operations deputy director Bill Jephson explaining:
Caused a blight
“Irresponsible boat owners have caused a blight on the Thames for far too long.
"We know the impact these boats can have on river users and local residents. "It’s time to start with a clean slate. Sunk, wrecked or abandoned, they’ve got to go.”
“Our approach to non-registration offences on the Thames has also changed.
"While we continue to prosecute offenders through our escalation process, we have also begun to remove boats where the owner has previously been prosecuted and continues not to comply."
The EA is currently recruiting more patrol officers to clamp down further.