1 IWA's vision for london contents 1. Introduction 1 2. Moorings 3 3. Facilities 8 4. Air Quality 9 5 Water Quality 10 6 Fire Safety 12 7 Towpaths & Other Paths 13 8 Unpowered Boats 14 9 Turning Places 16 10 Docks & Basins 17 11 Freight and Passengers 18 12 Heritage and the Built Environment 19 13 About us 21 References Appendix 1 22 Appendix 2 23 Appendix 3 24 2 IWA's vision for london 1. Introduction This document sets out The Inland Waterways River Trust (CRT), Port of London Authority Association’s (IWA) vision for our waterways (PLA) and the Environment Agency (EA) as in London. It has been produced to highlight well as all connected navigable rivers, creeks the specific issues for waterways users in and basins. (See Appendix 1, p22) the capital, which, given the relatively small geographical area and the huge demand, are Over recent years, there has been a large more keenly felt in London than elsewhere in increase in the number of boats on London’s the UK. The issues are further compounded by waterways. the fact that there are over 25 Local Authorities Boats on CRT’s London waterways in the Greater London Area and the River Lee 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 & Stort area with canals in their jurisdiction. IWA realises that there is never a situation where one plan fits all – all circumstances are 2010 different and need to be handled on a case-by- case basis. There are 145 miles of navigable waterways 2017 within London. This report includes all waterways owned and managed by Canal & Figures taken from CRT’s London Motoring Strategy (2018) 1 IWA's vision for london CRT is predicting that by 2022 there will be a projected growth of between 35-52%, with most “Can anyone retire in their 30s? Meet the people who say yes by of the growth being from boats without a home living on a boat.” mooring. This is a significantly larger increase - The Guardian than the rest of the UK and brings with it a host “Model Avoids Mortgage Trap [20th Nov 2018] by Refurbising Canal Boat.” of area-specific issues including: - Daily Mail [12th Nov 2018] insufficient “Can you barge your way on to moorings (both the housing ladder?” Visitor and - Financial Times residential) [12th April 2018] over-crowding In the New London Plan 2019, the Greater Lack of boaters' London Authority under the guidance of facilities London Mayor, Sadiq Kahn, has recognised the concept of Good Growth and the importance of: Currently, there is a sense of unfairness between boaters with a home mooring who protecting pay for the service and those without a home heritage assets mooring. It is IWA’s belief that this sense and riverscapes of unfairness has arisen because of limited Affordable facilities being provided for those people housing paying for a mooring, which in many cases amounts to well over £10,000 pa. reducing carbon footprint IWA believes there is much more that could be done to support boaters and is calling for the reinstatement of CRT’s “Better Relationship of IWA is currently responding to the New London Waterways Group” under London Plan to ensure that both boaters and the independent chairmanship of the waterways themselves are given Community Resolve, or a similar sufficient consideration. organisation. The presence of large numbers of boats This group was originally set up to understand creates extra wear on the canal infrastructure and engage with boaters and deal with conflict as well as putting pressure on facilities and in a constructive way. maintenance budgets. IWA recognises that any improvements will need to be funded and will The increase in boat numbers has largely come look at different funding options, which may about from people wishing to live in London include but are not limited to contributions but being unable to afford the high rents or from local authorities, investment from the house prices. Barely a week goes by without private sector or charges for boaters. a story appearing in the national press about people living on boats and living mortgage free. For example: 2 IWA's vision for london 2. moorings that the great majority of boats on temporary (including designated visitor) moorings only move the minimum distance required of them by the Navigation Authority. Evidence also suggests that there is a significant degree of IWA’s aspiration is for unauthorised overstaying. It is IWA’s belief that a vibrant inland waterway such boats would prefer a permanent mooring (which would not restrict their ability to cruise system where every boater further when required) rather than being who wishes to have a obligated to move every 14 days. permanent mooring can IWA recognises that the prospect of creating new permanent moorings is very find and afford one, and limited and consequently – as ever where demand outstrips supply – the cost of any where all boaters can available mooring is so high that it becomes find suitable overnight unaffordable for many. Currently one or two CRT leisure moorings are available at over moorings while travelling £5,000 each and, as of 4th January 2019, there was one residential mooring available in a around the waterways. private marina at £30,000 plus an annual fee of £9,200. Currently this is not the situation in the The decision to authorise a permanent Greater London Area where there is mooring for residence lies primarily with the insufficient availability of both permanent and Local Planning Authority (LPA) as part of their temporary moorings. Local Plan. However, in IWA’s experience, the issue of 2.1 Permanent Moorings residence on boats is not seen as a high priority for Local Authorities. The issues are To IWA’s knowledge, there has been no recent complex and are often perceived to be the analysis of London boaters’ requirements for responsibility of the Navigation Authorities. permanent / temporary moorings in London, however, the circumstantial evidence shows 3 IWA's vision for london IWA will monitor and attempt to influence the non-towpath side of the waterway in Local Authorities to recognise boat order to reduce congestion and to improve occupation as an important planning matter. levels of privacy and security. The aim is to encourage future permanent mooring facilities to be included in policy IWA recommends that where established off- documentation, and insofar as possible, side linear moorings already exist, that the allow for residential use of these if required. towpath on the opposite side should be used As with the provision of housing, such new for new permanent moorings. This can only permanent moorings should include a happen where the width of the canal allows. proportion available at an affordable level There are examples of where this could (i.e. a percentage of the market rate) but happen between Alperton and Kensal Green. still with basic facilities provided. Wherever residential use is allowed and utilised, it IWA will campaign for the provision of would be in the Local Authority’s interest to additional facilities to meet the requirements charge Council Tax as appropriate. of new permanent moorings. These should not be at the cost of the Navigation Authority IWA’s preference is that new permanent who are already responsible for providing moorings should be situated off-line in services. basins and marinas. IWA suggests City Road Basin could provide both IWA believes that additional money needs visitor and permanent moorings. to be raised from the waterways users for the provision and upkeep of services. There Where on-line permanent are a number of different ways to raise this residential moorings are money, for example via payment at point created, they should, of use or as a “congestion charge” type wherever possible payment. (See Appendix 2, p23) and appropriate, be located on Local are not easy to find in London, but IWA would support the ‘charity shop model’ where charity Authorities need shops make use of unoccupied premises between leases. Derelict canalside sites to recognise boat awaiting development would be ideal for this purpose. There are a number of possible sites occupation for this. (See Appendix 3, p24) as an important IWA will work with interested groups planning matter. through the entire process, from beginning to end, supporting them with everything from the constitution of a suitable 2.1.1 Community Moorings body, through to gaining the planning permission and design and construction of IWA has identified a need for a new type of the moorings. community mooring, owned and run by the boaters who wish to moor in the London area. Each of these mooring sites must be on the off- side or in disused basins and will not normally contain more than ten boats. Suitable sites 4 IWA's vision for london 2.2 Temporary Mooring A clear consequence of the increase in number of boats in London is the increase disquiet over the in density of boats on existing temporary mooring sites. This not only raises serious concerns over impact on air quality and fire visual risk but also acts as a major deterrent for other boats passing through Central London. There is, furthermore, widespread disquiet impact of over the visual impact of current mooring current density on the waterscape. IWA is concerned that extended lengths of mooring mooring – often encouraged by the presence of rings set into a hard bank – impacts on local density air quality and fire safety. Typical examples are along the River Lee from the old flood gates near the Middlesex Filter Beds Nature on the Reserve (Nr Lee Bridge Road) along the whole length of Hackney Downs and above Old Ford waterscape Lock along Victoria Park, where lines of boats often exceed 500m without a break, and boats are usually at least two deep.