Solution to continuous moorers problem

I DO NOT wish to get into the whys and wherefores of overstaying boats on visitor moorings, but I do have a simple solution to the problem, writes Graham Phillips.

Rather than having enforcement officers traipsing the length and breadth of the canal system, including miles and miles of rural lengths which tend to police themselves due to lack of facilities, why not target just honey-pot sites as at Tyrley, Fradley, Braunston etc., etc?

Need access

It does appear to be the case that complainants are mostly from weekend/short-term cruisers and hire boat companies who need access to visitor moorings. As British Waterways fail to enforce the rules (as they see them) then all that comment, like that from Richard Swan, tends to do is set boater against boater.

If there is some reason, such as a planning issue, why British Waterways can't legally enforce a 24/48 hours rule then that length should be changed back to a 14 day mooring until such times as the enforcement is legitimate.

Enforced a charge

If British Waterways then enforced an overstaying charge of £20 a night (payable as an excess on your next licence) the practice would soon stop.

British Waterways will of course claim they don't have the manpower but it would if it was to target only the visitor moorings on a rolling three days basis. Not only would there be fewer complaints and disgruntled boaters but the charitable trust would benefit from a much needed income.