Mooring objectors using the Press

IN ADDITION to using both television and radio to state their objections, those affected by the proposed new mooring rules are also resorting to the Press.

The new rules being put forward by Canal & River Trust include a wide swathe of the country, including a major part of the Grand Union, where boaters are objecting to the restrictions and the charge of £25 a day, this time using the Watford Observer to state their cases, Alan Tilbury reveals.

Destroy their way of life

These relate to the moorings between Stockers and Batchworth locks, where resident boaters are stating that the new rules will 'destroy their way of life'. The rules being brought in are to make it easier for leisure boaters to visit the most popular areas, CaRT however states.

The newspaper reports one boater, Mike Doherty who lives on his narrowboat near Batchworth Lock:

"We live on our boats all year round, some of us have children in school, others work nearby or, like myself, work in London and others need to access healthcare and other local amenities. This is all doable while still sticking to the 14 day rule. It will not be doable if the trust's new proposals come into force."

Over-staying

Another such boater, Steve Jay, reported:

"The Canal & River Trust says it has a problem with boats over-staying, but they already have the 14 day rule. They need to enforce that, not impose these draconian new mooring restrictions that will make boating difficult for everyone who uses the canal."

The reasons however were sometimes far-fetched with one boater stating he 'moved around all the time' but then added that he would have to 'move his boat with only his two years old daughter unsupervised which would be dangerous'.

Inaccurate

In the report a CaRT spokesman told that 'there are more boats on the canal network than at any time in history', which is inaccurate with its own statistics giving 1,000 less than last year.

The consultation was then brought up, with the spokesman asking boaters for 'their views on the idea of changing how long boats can moor in 22 of the busiest places in the South East'.