Unlawfully moored Thames boats removed

BY USING its powers, Kingston Council has successfully removed two boats that were unlawfully moored on the Thames in its borough, with more to follow.

Though it has no statutory duty to remove such boats, the many complaints about them from residents forced their hand, and so the council used the Greater London  Council (General Powers) Act 1972 to remove the boats, with the legislation allowing for the cost to be recovered from the owners if the boat is claimed or for the sale if not, Roger Fox tells us.

Notices first served

The council provides 24 hours moorings at Townsend Wharf and Horsefair Quay, with the majority of the unlawfully moored boats moored North of the 'Half Mile' tree, and though removal notices were first served, these were ignored and the  unoccupied boats remained, and so the more robust method of removal was used for two of them, with others in the pipeline.

In the case of occupied boats a different approach is being used, using the powers of Part 55 of the civil Procedure Rules in the County Court, with welfare visits taking place before action is taken against the boats that have been present for many months.

Environment Agency and police

The Environment Agency, Kingston Police and the Police Marine Support Unit are all involved, serving eviction notices and the subsequent seizure of unlawfully moored boats, many without licences, and some engaging in criminal activity.