Increase in Thames licences

Published: Monday, 12 October 2009

THE Environment Agency tells that the issue of boat licences on the Thames 'has risen 30%'.

It adds that there are now 157 hire boats on the river, though this is less than the heyday of boat hiring a few years ago, after many hire companies went out of business.
The figures given by the agency are 12,621 in 2008 to 12,730 up to September this year, an increase of 109 licences. [30%?]

The agency believe the increase could be due to the recession leading to more people looking to holiday in the UK, the Thames Waterways Manager, Angela Quayle, stating:

"The economic climate may well have played a part in people making the most of what is near them."