CRT have unveiled plans to start charging for 1.1km of towpath moorings in various locations throughout London. They are doing this without showing any consideration for boaters who live and work in the area, or evidence that they are necessary.
In fact, CRT’s own figures show that their two ‘test sites’ for these new chargeable moorings have had less than 25% occupancy – most of the year they were wasted moorings. Is this really a success? Do we really need more unused chargeable moorings?
Is this just the beginning? CRT are crossing a dangerous line that could see London Waterways and other waterways become something for those who can afford it – disregarding their responsibility to preserve the waterways for all communities. CRT are also planning to rub salt in the wound by enforcing unnecessary double mooring restrictions – regardless of how wide the navigation is. There are many places in London where a narrowboat can easily double moor onto a wide beam, but CRT aim to end this practice.
Rather than concentrating on their mandate to maintain the navigation with things like dredging, they continue to persecute boat dwellers without home mooring. NBTA London demand that CRT do not reduce casual mooring space in London. Turning it into prohibitively expensive, pre-bookable moorings that will often be left unused will only make other areas more busy, and drive people who live and work in these areas out of their livelihoods, and out of their homes.
NBTA London also demand that CRT concentrate on their primary objective of maintaining the navigation, rather than persecuting boaters who moor on some of the widest waterways in the country. If we are not restricting the navigation we should be allowed to double moor.
NBTA and London Boaters have fought and prevented unfair and destructive attempts like these before, and we will do so again. CRT must stop destroying boating communities by favouring one kind of boater over another. They are entrusted with looking after the country’s waterways for everyone. London’s waterways should not be financially exclusive.
Please stop CRT making London’s Waterway financially exclusive by completing their survey below – by telling them that we disagree we can preserve London’s Waterways for everyone, not just those who can afford it.
https://canalrivertrust.welcomesyourfeedback.net/s/London
Also take action to let CRT know our boats are our homes and we aren’t going away from the waterways
MARCH ON CRT OFFICES! on Saturday 26th March at 1pm Park Square in Regents Park NW1 4LH, nearby tube stations are Great Portland Street and Regent’s Park.
More info here: March on CRT offices
National Bargee Travellers Association - London Branch 