Fines proposed to tackle illegal moorings

Penalties of up to £1,000 could be implemented to tackle illegal boat moorings on parts of the River Thames after a council in Surrey won a legal challenge.

Elmbridge Borough Council said residents living near the riverside had complained about unapproved boat moorings, litter and noise.

Tackling illegal boat moorings was part of the authority's Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), which it approved last month.

Marcus Trower, the deputy chair of the National Bargee Travellers Association (NBTA), argued the rule was "draconian" and it would "punish people for the simple act of living in their homes".

He challenged the council in High Court over the PSPO, arguing the terms of the order were too "vague" to be enforceable.

However, the council won the court case meaning the PSPO can go ahead with another round of public consultation on the clarified wording.

The council said it aimed to introduce the PSPO by spring and for it be in place until March 2028.

The new rules could restrict unapproved moorings to a 24-hour limit at Ditton Reach, Albany Reach, Cigarette Island, Cowey Sale and Hurst Park, and Surrey County Council's land adjacent to Hampton Court bridge at Parrs mooring, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

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