I HAVE just seen your article about the state of moorings on London waterways, and though it is not exactly stated, it is impossible to get a decent mooring nowadays in the city if you are visiting, writes Helen Cripps.
It was way back in 2004 that we first did the 'ring' from Bull's Bridge [Grand Union Canal] along the Paddington/Regents to Limehouse and back up the Thames to Brentford, and had no problems mooring.
We moored outside the supermarket on the Paddington Arm, spent the night in Paddington Basin (pictured) with the choice of a dozen moorings, and even managed a mooring outside the Canal Museum where we were shown around. But with a new partner I tried it again, but managed none of the former moorings, so missed stocking up with food, with no chance of staying in a packed basin not seeing the exhibits in the museum, with boats often two and even three abreast.
Very problematic
I don't know how the boaters can enjoy 'the charms of the waterway environment' packed in as they are, but certainly agree that 'continuous cruising can be very problematic'. We were just 'passing through' as visitors but that too was very problematic indeed, and hardly a good place to visit.
It is clear, as the article suggests that these people are not boaters as such, but simply residents getting a cheap mode of living in the capital, and should Canal & River Trust be looking at it as a 'milking cow', it should think of cruising boaters wanting to explore the 'delights' of London.
Packed with residents
After all, boating is about, well, boating, not a house on the water that never moves. It is not more moorings that are wanted, for no matter how many are created, they will very quickly become packed with residents, which is hardly in the spirit of the waterways.