Council Consults on Tougher Rules on Moorings
Say boats on the Thames are being used illegally used as accommodation
Hounslow Council is holding a consultation on the introduction of new rules which they say aim to prevent unauthorised mooring of boats along the banks of the Thames in the borough.
The proposed byelaw would enable them to restrict and control the mooring of boats along riverbanks and prevent unauthorised mooring which they say causes problems to those boat owners who have prior approval from the Council.
Among the problems alleged to be caused by unauthorised mooring is anti-social behaviour, interference with residents using open public spaces, poor appearance of unauthorised boats and an inability to move the boats without resorting to lengthy legal action.
The Council say that owners are using the boats as either permanent or as rentals accommodation, meaning the unauthorised boat owners are profiting at the council tax payers’ expense.
Councillor Steve Curran, Leader of Hounslow Council said: “Boats that are moored unlawfully are being unfair to those owners who pay their mooring fees and those who visit our waterways.
“This consultation will give us a platform from which we can develop the byelaw to prevent unauthorised moorings.”
To give your views visit www.hounslow.gov.uk/consultations. The consultation runs until Friday 3 November.
August 4, 2017