Elmbridge letter to EA re 'slumboats'

If only local authority environmental health, EA and the fire service approached this in a joined up way using standard fire safety, electrical safety, house in multiple occupation, rented accommodation, river registration, insurance & BSSC regulations then I believe a solution would be forthcoming very quickly. Not even article 8 of the ECHR would trump that lot.
 
Old Crusty said:
If only local authority environmental health, EA and the fire service approached this in a joined up way using standard fire safety, electrical safety, house in multiple occupation, rented accommodation, river registration, insurance & BSSC regulations then I believe a solution would be forthcoming very quickly. Not even article 8 of the ECHR would trump that lot.
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That would require joined up thinking and co-operation between the authorities. We can only hope.
 
I suspect a raid by the tax authorities might be quickest way to resolve this issue if the al Capone of Kingston cannot be brought down by other means . That said is he not providing social housing iN an area Of acute shortage?
 
Elmbridge just need to apply for a byelaw like LBRUT and Hounslow did. It's sad it had to come to this but that is the solution for dealing with "problem" vessels moored on Elmbridge owned land.


It's just the way it is. EA have no powers unless the vessels are unlicensed or causing obstruction or hazard.

The vessels moored at Hurst Park are an interesting case. If that did end up in court then some surprising things may happen. They might even find out it is allowed and even a byelaw would not stop it. Maybe they know this already.
 
Slumboat number 4 at Hurst Park has a small cruiser tied up to it in the attached photograph. I went past it today, that cruiser(Norman aft cabin?)has now sunk. There are two prolific liveaboards that take the p and run rings around the EA. Another unlicensed business owner who owns at least 3 vessels and operates a fishing tour and party boat business, has purchased half a dozen kayaks and 4 pedalos and has set up shop next to tax paying, legal GoBoat in Kingston. The taking the P-ometer is off the scale with that one.
A weekend trip from Teddington to Sunbury, I feel like a mug being one of the only vessels with a 2020 licence on this part of the river.
 
I did a trip to Teddington then back up to Henley recently. The situation is quite depressing once you get down past Sunbury.

I used to live in a house by the River at Hampton Wick in the 80s/90s. Things were so much more relaxed then with far fewer idiots about and no mooring problems. Where did they all come from?

Of course it's true that in the intervening 25 years while I have been living on boats the property values in that area, with its proximity to the capital, are now about 5 times more expensive than in 1995.
 
Richmonds by law pushed them on to the next council upstream. The slumboat business grew and as it did, word spread and those who could afford a barely floating squat took up residence. Yes, it is depressing, it looks awful and the same unlicensed heaps are hogging the moorings. I keep my boat here because I'm on a private mooring and I dont want to drive to a marina to use my boat, but it's getting harder to find somewhere to stop.
 
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