Olympic moorings too expensive

WE HAVE received a number of complaints from boat traders about the fees that British Waterways have set for moorings along the Regent's Canal during the Olympics.

Though it is our policy not to include comment without a name, this time, with traders worried about their businesses, we have made an exception.

Long established

One very well known and long established boat trader, after learning of the charges told us:

"Suffice to say we won't be going. They have no idea how much stock I have to sell to break even on those charges."

The mooring charges for the four weeks of the Olympics are £360 per week—a total of £1,440.  For the weeks before and after the Olympics, named weeks one and six, even those will cost £180 per week.

Can't cover outlay

Another well known boat trader, often seen at the canal society shows, and featured in narrowboatworld complained:

"I was aghast when I received the notice of the charges from British Waterways London office for mooring during the Olympic period, I can't see any of us taking it on, as we are only small traders so can't cover that sort of outlay.

I would have thought people who have paid such a lot of money for the Olympics will not be strolling many miles away along the Regent's Canal towpath, they will be watching the games.

We have now learnt that British Waterways are offering some traders discounts.