BaNES Council is proposing to introduce vehicle parking restrictions near the canal that will make it more difficult for liveaboard boaters to stay for 14 days in Bath. The deadline for objections is 23rd December 2021. The Council proposes to make a Traffic Regulation Order to restrict or prevent parking on Beckford Road, Rockliffe Avenue and Forester Road. See https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/beckford-road-tro-consultation
The purpose of the proposed restrictions is to make space for a cycle lane going uphill along Beckford Road and Warminster Road. However, since CRT introduced its unlawful and punitive 20-mile range requirement in 2015 for boaters without a home mooring, cycling to work or school or using public transport has become untenable for liveaboard boaters.
Here we publish a map of the mooring area at Mead Lane that shows the 14-day area and the 48 hour moorings that have been removed and are now a ‘nature area’.
Following a legal challenge by a boater to the decision by BaNES Council to close the moorings at Mead Lane, Saltford, on the River Avon between November and March, boaters can now moor at Mead Lane for 14 days all year round. The river bank there is owned by BaNES.
Following a Judicial Review challenge by Community Law Partnership (CLP) on behalf of a liveaboard boater, BaNES Council is reconsidering its decision to close the 14 day moorings at Mead Lane, Saltford, on the River Avon between the beginning of November and the end of February every year. The judicial review has therefore been stayed until the end of June 2021. We would encourage any boaters who are concerned about the loss of these moorings to make submissions to BaNES Council: contact Mandy_bishop@bathnes.gov.uk
BaNES Council is running a public consultation on river parks and towpath improvements on the River Avon between Churchill Bridge and Newbridge in Bath. The consultation asks questions about people’s use of the towpath but does not include an option to say that you use the towpath for mooring your boat, and does not mention boating at all. This needs to be challenged! The deadline for responses is Friday 8th January 2021.
On 8th October, BaNES Council Cabinet voted unanimously to close the moorings at Mead Lane, Saltford, by November 2022 and relocate the 14-day mooring space. It is not clear what will happen if the Council is unable to find suitable land to relocate the moorings.
In January 2020 BaNES Council attempted to close the 14-day moorings at Mead Lane, Saltford following a long campaign by local residents hostile to liveaboard boaters. Allegations were made that the mooring of boats had damaged the river bank. A decision was made to carry out a structural survey, which took place on 3rd September 2020. The survey by Atkins Global engineering consultancy found that there was no damage to the bank from moored boats.
The Floaty Boat Fund is raising money to help boaters affected by the sinkings and strandings on the River Avon following the failure of the Environment Agency’s (EA) sluice gate at Twerton on 15th September. While the fund cannot offer financial support to individuals, money raised will be used to provide appropriate support. You can donate here:
Boaters affected by the sinkings and strandings can claim compensation from the Environment Agency, who say that “If you believe you have a reasonable and legitimate claim please notify us via the following email address, with TWERTON INCIDENT as the subject”:
The Environment Agency has this evening (17th September 2020) issued more information about the help available for boaters affected by the sinkings and strandings due to the sluice gate failure at Twerton in Bath. This includes details about what will be done to raise and inspect boats. Please see below.
Help is available for the boaters affected by the sinkings and strandings on the River Avon in Bath on 15th September 2020, caused by the failure of the Environment Agency’s (EA) sluice gate at Twerton. Alice and Carla from Julian House Travelling Communities Support Service will be on site today 17th September to assist anyone who needs support. Contact Alice on 07960 097719 or Carla on 07539 926809. The EA and CRT will also be at Weston Lock today from 8am. If you have any concerns about water levels or the sluice gate, contact 0800 807060 24 hours a day.
CRT has contracted with River Canal Rescue to raise and free the sunk and stranded boats and they will be on site today to assess damage to each boat. The Police, Avon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, CRT and BaNES Council have also been on the spot to protect the boats, provide security and provide emergency accommodation (at YMCA Bath) or welfare support for those who need it. If you know anyone who has been affected please share this information with them as they may not have access to their phone, charger or laptop.
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