Outinthedinghy
Well-known member
The EA did used to ticket boats without correctly displayed names but not sure if they bother any more.
The number of boats without names (not even obscured) is significant and is increasing. And even those with a name don’t always comply with the placement and letter size requirements.Re the names on boats.
There are byelaws relating to boats having names and registrations on them if kept on the Thames.
Not sure if accidentally obscuring the landside and stern name badge with towels would breach byelaws.
He still stops thereCould be, but some boaters use it as an excuse - hence the spat some years ago between the owner of African Queen & the town council (I might be wrong but thought when eventually he went they banned him for evermore).
He's allowed to stay on Mill/Marsh Meadows a certain number of nights per year but I can't remember how many!!He still stops there
One wonders whether dedication of land as public access land might sort out the swimmer problem and the illegal mooring problem and the issue of people out walking their cats in one fell swoop.
The A308 runs through Old Windsor next to the river at The Bells of Ouzeley” (Harvester). Signs state 24 hour mooringsThat raises the obvious question of the location of the public right of way and whether it adjoins the waterway.
I can't think of anywhere with a public road immediately beside the River.
To the best of my knowledge, the strip of land between the road and river is owned by the Old Windsor parish CouncilThe road is not right beside the River though is it. I imagine the line of the road is probably marked on land registry and perhaps the highways have a little bit each side as well but there is definitely something between the road and the River which someone must be in charge of.
Maybe it's no man's land.
Adie on Bustardthorpe has been getting away with mooring just down from there for a long time but then that is quite a big boat and slightly awkward to move so perhaps best to let sleeping dogs lie.
I would assume that the moorings opposite the Bells of Osney are EA owned by default but entirely possible it could be unregistered land.
To the best of my knowledge, the strip of land between the road and river is owned by the Old Windsor parish Council
I think BustardThorpe has benefited by being on the border of Surrey (Runnymede) and Berkshire(RBWM). According to the county map it’s in Runnymede but their council insists it’s in RBWM - passing the buck
I glided past the town council moorings at Henley earlier this evening on a cruise. Full to the brim.
It's going to be an interesting time bearing in mind the old Ultra Vires story and local authority powers. It's not unusual for local authorities to overextend and make up legal powers they don't actually have.
It's a shame if it ends up going the same way as Richmond with a byelaw and nobody allowed to moor as I believe the Henley council quite like the £33k a year they take from the moorings..
It's ok to collect mooring fees if you are a private riparian owner but a local council can not act in the same way. They are able to apply for byelaws though and they will get around to it eventually.
Hopefully it will involve paying and stating rather than the Richmond and Hounslow options of anyone staying for more than an hour is a criminal..
Perhaps you should point out Ultra Vires to Henley Town Council. This is the Thames tow path and they should be in compliance with the
The Thames conservancy act 1932 with amendments 1966 and 1972 ,Thames bye-laws 1993 and riparian responsibilities.
how they operate their visitor moorings on the tow-path.