Another London mooring strategy

THE Canal & River Trust has met with local councils, boaters and residents, to develop an action plan for the Regent's Canal throughout Islington and Hackney how better to improve the towpath and manage moorings.

As has often been reported in narrowboatworld there have been conflicting demands on the limited available space owing to the popularity of London's waterways that has led to conflicting demands between different users, and now the Trust has been working with Islington and Hackney councils to identify actions that can be taken collectively to improve the way the canal is managed.

A better place

There was a meeting earlier this week attended by Chief Executive Richard Parry and London waterway manager Jon Guest, as well as representatives from Islington Council, that covered mooring control, community safety, crime, antisocial behaviour and, we are told, ways that working with local partners and communities can make the Regent's Canal a better place for everyone.

Sorwar Ahmed, Boater Liaison Manager at the Trust, explained:

"The Regent's Canal is busier than ever. This has presented us with a challenge, as it's a finite space with lots of people trying to live, work and play alongside each other. We're working with boaters, residents, councils and other stakeholders to try to solve some of the problems. What I'm excited about are the ideas and opportunities that come up when we put all these passionate people in the same room. I think that, working together, we could make a real difference to the canal and the community."

Ready in the Spring

The Trust is aiming to have a new ‘Mooring Strategy' ready in the Spring, which will include a review of mooring capacity and site development opportunities for facilities. In the New Year the Trust will extend the action plan to include boaters and residents in Hackney.

While the Trust will pay for some of the improvements, the charity is hoping to find partnership funding for the benefits that will make things better for the communities that live alongside the Regent's Canal.