Solving Regents noisy boaters

FOR many months now there have been problems of continuous moorers taking over the limited moorings by Noel Road at Angel on the Regents Canal causing annoyance to local residents with Islington Council now stepping in.

Local residents have complained of noise from engines and generators together with smoke coming from the boats along Noel Road visitor moorings, (Lost it's grip on moorings) while some boaters feel they are being unfairly penalised for going about their way of life.

Solving the situation

Islington Council has contacted Canal & River Trust (CaRT), who replied that  [the Trust] 'is committed to supporting the needs of boaters and residents alike and will be working with Islington Council, sharing expertise and data, to resolve the situation'.

CaRT is to introduce measures to solve the problem that will focus on reducing noise and smoke at the moorings, and at the same time enforce its moorings rules.

Strict enforcement

It intends making the Angel visitor moorings a Quiet Zone, including limiting engine and generator noise to background level and strict enforcement on boaters that overstay or behave anti-socially;

We are told it also intends to stop the breasting-up of boats, but to keep them in a single line during the winter months, though two abreast as visitor moorings in the season, with new signs stating the restrictions.

The Trust is reversing its policy of getting rid of wardens, by recruiting 'caretaker boaters' on a monthly basis who will advise and provide information to boaters, report local incidents, and liaise with residents and agencies

Mooring rangers

Two new part-time Mooring Rangers will be engaged to patrol the towpath, including at weekends, to provide information, raise awareness of boating protocols, and implement mooring rules.

The Trust consulted with boater groups, local residents and Islington Council, and the resulting plan is a trial that will be reviewed after four months, during which time the Trust states it will be carrying out continuous monitoring of its effectiveness.

Don't stick to rules

Sorwar Ahmed, Boating Liaison Manager at CaRT, explained:

"The majority of boaters follow the requirements of keeping noise to an acceptable level, not running their generators between 8pm and 8am, and only burning clean fuel. However, there are some people who don't stick to these rules and we hope our new plans will make them think and change their behaviour.

"We know that views about what should be done are polarised, with residents wanting tougher measures and boaters unhappy about having more restrictions placed on them. We have to make a balanced judgement and see what can be done to improve the situation as it stands at the moment. We think our plans can do this and we are working with Islington Council to monitor things such as smoke, noise and use of moorings, which we will publish so boaters and residents can see how things are changing."