Boat Dwellers in Oxford under threat

Boat dwellers in Oxford are under threat from a group called the Unlawfully Moored Boats Enforcement Group, made up of Oxford City Council, the Environment Agency, British Waterways and Thames Valley Police. Oxford City Council has just given this group £44,000 over two years from April 2012. The enforcement group was set up in 2010 ‘to ensure that the banks are kept clear of unlawfully moored boats and those who have a lawful right to moor can do so’ according to the Council. The NBTA reminds all the members of this enforcement group of the lawful rights to moor enjoyed by boaters who live on their boats without a mooring under Section 17 3 c ii of the 1995 British Waterways Act, and also that the Public Right of Navigation on the River Thames includes the right to anchor, moor or remain stationary for a reasonable time. In a recent high court case regarding public rights of navigation, a QC made the point that there is no definition of a “reasonable time” allowed for mooring in the context of a public right of navigation but he thought 14 days was reasonable.

There’s an FOI request here
 http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/unlawfully_moored_boats_enforcem

If you live on a boat in Oxford, contact us if you want some help dealing with this enforcement group, as we may be able to provide some advice, or put you in touch with organisations that can assist.
www.bargee-traveller.org.uk
 secretariat@bargee-traveller.org.uk