Oxford Osney East St moorings

[phodger]

All of the moorings at Osney East Street Oxford are out of action for an undetermined time. The lock keeper at Osney says that somebody nearly fell into the river because the river bank was unstable. Environment Agency has decided to close the whole stretch of about 10 to 15 moorings. EA have said they will not be repairing the bank in the foreseeable future if at all. The moorings may remain permanently closed

 

[Gibeltarik]

At the Thames Waterway Forum last week we asked EA to reconsider their total closure and look to repairing the mooring length by length. I am not confident that we shall see an early re-programming of repairs but the users have made their case. Sadly the Marlow downstream moorings and the Eton riverside moorings are similarly closed. No money - no repairs.

 

[Mark26]

All of the moorings at Osney East Street Oxford are out of action for an undetermined time. The lock keeper at Osney says that somebody nearly fell into the river because the river bank was unstable. Environment Agency has decided to close the whole stretch of about 10 to 15 moorings. EA have said they will not be repairing the bank in the foreseeable future if at all. The moorings may remain permanently closed

As an aside, I have never been sure if it’s possible to pass either side of the island at Folly Bridge? Going upstream, keeping to the left of the island would save lowering the mast and canopy to get under the bridge. I’ve a 1 meter draft.

 

[phodger]

At the Thames Waterway Forum last week we asked EA to reconsider their total closure and look to repairing the mooring length by length. I am not confident that we shall see an early re-programming of repairs but the users have made their case. Sadly the Marlow downstream moorings and the Eton riverside moorings are similarly closed. No money - no repairs.

Thanks for the info Gibeltarik

 

[Mark26]

Good news, as of 27/04 the Eaton moorings are shown on the EAs website as being closed but due to reopen in May

 

[ianc1200]

As an aside, I have never been sure if it’s possible to pass either side of the island at Folly Bridge? Going upstream, keeping to the left of the island would save lowering the mast and canopy to get under the bridge. I’ve a 1 meter draft.

I've been through both, the problem used to be Salters trying to block the narrower channel rafting out boats, we're 3' 6" draft. If not wanting to go through Osney Bridge the East St moorings were great if there was space.

 

[Mark26]

I've been through both, the problem used to be Salters trying to block the narrower channel rafting out boats, we're 3' 6" draft. If not wanting to go through Osney Bridge the East St moorings were great if there was space.

Thank you

 

[Outinthedinghy]

I always treated the salters side channel as a downstream channel. It could be a bit awkward if one went up there while another vessel for example a 20 ton narrow was coming the other way, downstream. It is not very wide there.

 

[WoodyP]

It's a fact that moorings are expensive and it's a fact that boat licensing doesn't cover the EA costs. Could they not offer free moorings to a group prepared to put in their own moorings to an appropriate specification?

 

[Outinthedinghy]

It's an interesting situation.

Leasing EA (and council) land is certainly something that should be considered.

The situation with the Oxford and Marlow moorings seems to be similar to the Temple footbridge issue.

These things were put in when the River was run by the TWA or the NRA. They had recreation budgets so were able to spend on amenity value.

The EA do not seem to have the funds for this so the 'it has been 35 years' thing kicks in.

Core function is to facilitate navigation so one could argue that provision of moorings is not part of this because when a Boat is stationary it is not navigating.