Forum Topic

Waterman's Park and derelict boats

Does anyone have any knowledge about regs relating to watercraft?Walking through Waterman's Park yesterday, I was disgusted at the condition of the many eyesores that were moored there.

Colin Murphy ● 7001d8 Comments

Good for you Colin, it's not an avenue that had occurred to me.

Nigel Moore ● 6996d

Thanks Nigel. The PLA will only be involved if they cause a hazard to navigation etc. and have deferred the matter to the LA as it is their land to which they are moored.It is only speculation that these will be replaced with further derelicts. They are failing the public, especially given the proximity of the play area, in allowing these dangerous structures to remain.It is to that end that I am pursuing the Environmental and Planning Section of the Legal team at Hounslow. Liability for personal injury or death can be very expensive.

The Pseudometer ● 6998d

Colin you would need to read through previous topics on this subject to get a fuller picture than any single brief posting could provide.Both the PLA and the Council have the power either singly or together to do something about the wrecks, but as Matt has pointed out, they don't see the point of making room for more derelicts to be dumped there. I don't agree with that rationale, but that's what they use to avoid what would necessarily be a costly exercise.The Council are hoping to encourage private developer interest in establishing properly regulated and controlled moorings here, and movement on this seems likely in the near future.

Nigel Moore ● 6998d

referred by HBC to the Environmental Agency on 0800 807 060 - their freephone message refers me back to the Local Authority EHO! Kafka-esque.

The Pseudometer ● 6998d

Although the council may not have authority, what about the Environmental Health Officer?

The Pseudometer ● 6998d

I think that Watermans Park would make an excellent home for houseboats I agree with that.

Ian Roberts ● 7001d

I'm told that it's looking likely that some proper moorings will be built later this year or next year. It's the PLA's responsibility to clear old wrecks and there seems to be a feeling that if wrecks are moved, other past-it craft will be dumped there. Personally, I think that Watermans Park would make an excellent home for houseboats - which would, in turn, make the Park a nicer place to spend time in.

Matt Harmer ● 7001d

This is a small extract from a post back in 2004.Neither the Council nor British Waterways have any jurisdiction over the area along the Thames, such as Waterman's Park. The PLA are the ones with the authority and means to shift the wrecks.

Ian Roberts ● 7001d