Kingston Council introduces river moorings fees to protect riverside heritage

The proposed visitor moorings fees, which will come into force on 1 April 2022, are designed to deter boats that overstay and ensure the riverside remains a safe and pleasant place for everyone.

Unlawful moorings create a high volume of complaints from the public and current powers to tackle boats moored without authorisation have proved ineffective in some circumstances. The council carried out a six week consultation in Autumn 2021 during which almost 400 people shared their views. There was significant support for a more rigorous approach to enforcement along the river. A total of 80% of respondents were in favour of introducing mooring fees, 82% wanted these to be in place all year and 91% supported the use of penalty charges for overstaying permitted mooring times. The new fees will apply to visiting vessels, those with permanent moorings on the river already pay fees to the Environment Agency and will not be impacted. 

Councillor John Sweeney, Portfolio Holder for Business and Leisure said:  

“Strengthening enforcement powers along council-managed parts of the riverside by introducing managed moorings will help protect our riverside environment and ensure it remains a special place for residents and visitors. The new scheme will also protect the river, and its wildlife and plants, from pollution, and encourage more people to visit the town by boat.
 

“We’re fully committed to maintaining the special character of our riverside. Only last month the council removed two boats that had been illegally moored for a number of months, using existing powers.”

Regulating moorings is important to ensure the river can be used safely by boaters and other river users, businesses, local residents and visitors. The council is also considering introducing byelaws to make it an offence to moor on council-owned land designated as no mooring, such as Queens Promenade and Canbury Gardens. A full regulatory assessment will be carried out and further consultation with residents will take place as part of the statutory process before any byelaws are introduced

Read the full report to the council’s Place Committee on 11 November 2021.