Removals
Good news first: On 24 Sep 2024, Hui, RoR, and a small support launch were removed from moorings near Sadler’s Ride slipway and towed to Erith for scrapping.
Boat Count
But the good news stops there. The Environment Agency (EA) reports unauthorised overstaying boats on the Thames in Elmbridge more than doubled in two years—from 115 in November 2022 to 237 in November 2024.
Enforcement
A joint operation by the EA, Elmbridge Borough Council (EBC), Surrey Police, and others targeted Hurst Park and Cigarette Island. It removed the boats, issued 137 enforcement notices (47 for unregistered boats, 14 for wrecks, 60 for trespass), and cleared over a ton of riverbank waste on 8 Oct.
What Next?
Despite this, doubts linger about the EA’s resolve and resources for ongoing enforcement – RoR took nearly a decade to remove! In 2025, MRAG will seek a meeting with EA CEO Philip Duffy to propose mooring fees for boats staying over 24 hours and outsourcing enforcement to a private firm, aligning Elmbridge with Richmond, Kingston, and Spelthorne. We’ll also push the EA to lease riverside land to EBC for effective bye-laws, as EBC’s PSPOs may fall short.
Contact: mragchair@gmail.com.
