BaNES Council is recruiting for a project manager with knowledge of boating to lead its Better Moorings Project. The closing date for applications is 5th November. See https://jobsandcareers.bathnes.gov.uk/ and search for Better Moorings Project Manager.
BaNES Council says that the Better Moorings Project is:
Liveaboard boaters at Phoenix boatyard on the River Avon in Keynsham were granted a Certificate of Lawful Use by BaNES Council Planning officers in January 2022. This means that their residential use of the moorings is lawful and the Council cannot take planning enforcement action against them for living on the moorings.
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’.
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.
Last week BaNES Council reversed the decision that it made in January and has re-opened the 14-day moorings at Mead Lane, Saltford on the River Avon, until a structural survey of the river bank is carried out and further consultation of interested parties has taken place. The U-turn followed a solicitor’s letter sent to the Council on behalf of boaters. This comes shortly after the BaNES Environmental Health department began taking steps in mid-May 2020 to evict liveaboards who had been moored at Mead Lane due to the suspension of boat movements for the Coronavirus lockdown.
There will be a boaters’ meeting next Tuesday 28th January to discuss what the options are for the liveaboard community now that BaNES Council has voted to remove the only 14-day moorings on the River Avon. The meeting is at 7pm on Tuesday 28th January 2020 at the George Inn, Mill Lane, Bathampton BA2 6TR.
Despite verbal and written submissions to the Council meeting from liveaboard boaters, BaNES Council cabinet voted on on 16th January 2020 to close Mead Lane moorings on the River Avon and to carry out a structural survey of the river bank. The Council has ordered boaters to leave the moorings within 21 days of the decision, even though the Avon is in flood and has been on red boards since 10th January, with CRT advising boaters that it is not safe to navigate.
If you are moored at Mead Lane, DO NOT MOVE unless it is safe. You can check for any updates on river conditions by phoning CRT on 0303 040 4040 or email
enquiries.walessouthwest@canalrivertrust.org.uk.
See also https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices
Liveaboard boaters will address BaNES Council on the importance of keeping the moorings at Mead Lane, Saltford open on Thursday 16th January 2020. The consultation report will be discussed by the Council’s cabinet at 7pm on 16th January at The Guildhall, Bath. The meeting is open to the public; Mead Lane moorings is item 15 on the agenda. The Council’s cabinet will take a final vote on which of the options outlined in the consultation report it will adopt.
A ‘Boats Are Homes’ demonstration in London will take place on 24th May 2019 starting with a rally on the Grand Union Canal next to Paddington station at 1pm and marching to the Canal & River Trust office at Little Venice, handing out leaflets to the public.
On Saturday 25th May at 12 noon the Paddington Party and Flotilla will begin on the canal near Paddington station.