Protests against ‘water safety zones’ rumble on

Plans to introduce “water safety zones” along the River Lea continue to face opposition from boaters. 

Last month (26th June) the National Bargee Travellers Association (NBTA) staged a protest picnic on Walthamstow Marshes against the proposed zones. If implemented, they would reduce the amount of space for continuous cruisers, who have to move their boats every two weeks.   

The zones will apply to two sections of the Lea – in Broxbourne, between Aqueduct Lock 8 and Carthagena Lock, and on the Lower Lea between Old Ford Lock 19 and Tottenham Lock 17.

The Canal and River Trust (CRT), which manages waterways across England and Wales, cites reports from Lea Rowing Club and Broxbourne Rowing Club as a justification for the plans. The reports suggest that 240 safety incidents took place within the proposed zones between 2014 and 2019, 29 of which were between powered and unpowered craft. The zones would place particular restrictions on those with wider craft and those who double moor (two boats next to each other). Both are commonly used by families, who the NBTA argues would be disproportionately impacted. 

Marcus Trower, branch secretary for NBTA London, said: “Many families have made their lives on the water. It’s a great way of life for kids to grow up with – access to nature, a strong sense of community and the excitement of living on a boat. However CRT’s plans to remove hundreds of mooring spots up and down the River Lea will heap pressure on boater families by making it harder for kids to access their schools, and parents their work.” 

The association claims that 295 casual mooring spaces could be lost under the plans and has responded with a string of rallies. But “no mooring” signs have already been rolled out.

The CRT says that many of the safety concerns arise from boaters mooring where they shouldn’t. A spokesperson said: “The number of boats using London’s canals has doubled in the last decade. Our charity works to balance the needs of all users while keeping our waterways safe, so we have consulted extensively on our plans. The no-mooring areas being enforced have never been suitable for mooring and no experienced boater would or would expect to be able to moor in a location which puts them or others in danger.” 

Live-aboard boaters were left out of initial consultations regarding the zones (the CRT has since apologised), but several mediated discussions have taken place since. The NBTA is encouraging boaters to moor in restricted areas as an act of protest; many of the signs have been vandalised and a string of enforcement notices issued by the trust were hung like bunting at the protest. In resisting regulations, the CRT says boat dwellers risk restrictions when renewing their licences. 

Marcus said: “We hope that the next stage of this process will be for CRT to drop these plans and actually consult with boaters about how to make the waterways work for everyone that uses them. However, for as long as the CRT continues to mount unjustified attacks on our community, boaters will continue to campaign against them.”