Are mooring enforcement cameras coming to the Thames?

On this subject,was talking to a retired couple who sold up and moved to France a few years ago,they have found things very difficult of late and have moved back over here for various medical and financial reasons.
Property values in France have collapsed,so unable or willing to sell exsisting property.
A common topic of conversation apparently is how to move back over here without having the funds to buy a permanent home, live aboard narrow boating appears to be the favorite solution.
The Thames being the favored location.
Did explain the difficulties and not sure just how many will take up the option but suspect the liveaboard narrowboats clogging up public moorings will not be going away anytime soon.
 
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oldgit said:
On this subject,was talking to a retired couple who sold up and moved to France a few years ago,they have found things very difficult of late and have moved back over here for various medical and financial reasons.
Property values in France have collapsed,so unable or willing to sell exsisting property.
A common topic of conversation apparently is how to move back over here without having the funds to buy a property, live aboard narrow boating appears to be the favorite solution.
The Thames being the favored location.
Did explain the difficulties and not sure just how many will take up the option but suspect the liveaboard narrowboats clogging up public moorings will not be going away anytime soon.
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There has certainly been a marked increase in the number of Widebeams and mock Dutch Barges continuously cruising on the Thames since the recession. They will be in company with many others if they decide to take that route. This I am sure is one of the reasons why the enforcement is being undertaken. It's not just the River Pikeys overstaying on the moorings.
 
I can't accept the French argument. Their housing market is on a par with ours and their health service superior. Having said that I can accept that there's a certain proportion of live aboards who aren't river Pikeys but just good honest folk trying eke out their income by using this alternative means of housing.
 
Two couples I've chatted to recently had the same story. Retired home owners who were struggling financially to keep both their houses and boat. The buoyant house rental market allows them to keep their property and the income supplements their pensions to provide them with a very comfortable lifestyle afloat.

I'm sure Oldgit is right. I can't see the numbers of (pardon the expression) non-pikey liveaboards decreasing any time soon. If anything, numbers will continue to increase.
 
Whatever they are doing at the moorings below Osney Bridge it seems to be sucessful and they are clear, however a noticable increase in NB's below Iffley lock now and the population is growing daily! And practically no spaces on the public moorings below Folly bridge.
 
Chris_d said:
Whatever they are doing at the moorings below Osney Bridge it seems to be sucessful and they are clear, however a noticable increase in NB's below Iffley lock now and the population is growing daily! And practically no spaces on the public moorings below Folly bridge.
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The inevitable effect of pilot areas: moves the problem elsewhere
 
As with many Peter Mayle escapees during the 80s and 90s,these folks sold up in UK,bought a property near St Malo to renovate and fully intended to finish their retirement down there.
However many folks do not appreciate just how cold the winters can be down there and as ailments increased in number and severitythey ,felt more comfortable with the health service they grew up with.The drop in the value of sterling did not help the pension.
The french locals very sensibly want a nice new house both cheap to heat and light,only the Brits seem to like damp drafty ruins and as they have maxed out their sources of credit back here in Blighty,they a,int buying no more..
The house in France will not sell unless virtually given away.
 
During the trial; we will introduce a penalty charge of £100 (£60 if paid early) payable by any boat owner who breaches the conditions of use of our free 24 hour moorings.
If an offence has been committed, Environment Agency officers will submit a report with accompanying evidence to District Enforcement. District Enforcement will then send a Mooring Charge Notice to the registered boat owner by post and then pursue payment, using County Court proceedings if necessary.
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Hmm ......... This could be interesting! This says nothing about payment on the spot so boat will have to have some sort of traceable identity which is fine if it has a current licence on display.
The EA already have problems tracing owners of unlicensed boats so how will this make it better? How will the contractor earn revenue for their services? Will the EA be paying a fee. Will there be enough cases to generate enough revenue for the scheme to wipe its face?
I bet there will be plenty of boaters who Unintentionally overstay being caught but little success with tackling the real problem and a further drain on already strapped EA resources.
 
I think legally and technically it is going to be a nightmare for them to enforce it,and will end up a complete waste of funds and resources
 
mlines said:
I agree as our usual discussion around mooring is "what is there to stop you anchoring". If you anchor a foot away from the Bank are you moored?
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You'd be in for a very rough stay - the boat would bang incessantly against the bank.
 
boatone said:
I suspect the EA may be more intent on showing us they are "doing something" about the problem than execting to resolve it. This is an anti-social behaviour issue.
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but is it really anti social?,if someone stops for 24 hrs they are probably not going to spend any money locally.however if someone is there for 3/4 days then they more than likelly would,which helps the local economy
 
hartcjhart said:
but is it really anti social?,if someone stops for 24 hrs they are probably not going to spend any money locally.however if someone is there for 3/4 days then they more than likelly would,which helps the local economy
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But the EA 24 hour moorings are specifically for boaters. Its up to local authorities to provide longer stay if they wish, but it seems most don't !!!
 
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boatone said:
But the EA 24 hour moorings are specifically for boaters. Its up to local authorities to provide longer stay if they wish, but it seems most don't !!!
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so are you saying that someone that stays 48hrs with their boat are not boaters,this is what I am trying to understand
 
I'd read somewhere, but didn't bookmark, that you can stay on the East Street, Oxford moorings for 3 days - the 1st 24 hours are free and then you pay the Osney Lockie for the next one or two days. Anyone seen this?

This from Canalworld
"...i said the mooring was 24 hour free, then the next 48 hours at £5 per 24 hour period up to 72 hours.....

I mentioned the plan to the Lockie who of course knew about it but was not able to give much info, but he seemed to think it was those who stayed more than 72hours the enforcement was aimed at..."

So how will the MEC (Mooring Enforcement Company) know this? What happens if you stay the 3 days and then bin the Lockie receipt? Lockie will need to give out some paperwork to CLEARLY explain the position to the skipper.

Also read that if the trial is positive (ie becomes a cashcow) then there are plans being developed to extend this for private landowners.
 
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