Boat-dwellers Julian Green, Sarah LaBrasca and Simon Hodgkinson are among those who could be affected by the ‘eco-moorings’

WITH the capital’s property market often proving too expensive for many, one solution has been to move into a canal boat.

But a row has now broken out over the number of moorings available on the waterways in Islington after spots were earmarked for touring boaters.

The Canal & River Trust (CRT) says it will install “eco-moorings” as a way to improve air quality in and around the canal. These will have electric charging points which can be booked for those passing through.

There are currently charging points on the Regent’s Canal at Colebrooke Row and Caledonian Road, with plans to install one in York Way in August.

Those who live in barges all year round, however, say this means there will be less space for people to make a home on the water.

Boat-dweller Simon Hodgkinson said: “It’s based on a complete fallacy. It’s an absolute nonsense. The Canal & River Trust does not accept any responsibility for housing. They don’t mean what they say [on the eco-moorings].”

He added: “You have to book to use it, which has a benefit, but once your booking is over, the next person that is booked will come along and egg you on so they can use the mooring.”

The new rules have already seen a “stop the cull” protest in east London which saw a coming together of 600 boats lined up to demonstrate against what the CRT calls its “water safety zone” policy.

Many boat-dwellers live under an agreement with the CRT to move on every fortnight but are worried they will have less flexibility due to the new plans to remove moorings.

Julian Green, who has a permanent mooring in a marina in King’s Cross, said: “They do not need to remove moorings. It’s worrying.

“If I want to sail somewhere I won’t be able to. We should be able to get out and sail as well. It makes it hard to stop anywhere, as well as making it hard for people to live.”

He added: “They shouldn’t stop people from living there, it’s ridiculous. They shouldn’t remove the spaces.

“It shouldn’t be an issue for other boats.”

Islington’s environment chief, Councillor Rowena Champion, said: “By bringing cleaner power supplies to the Regent’s Canal, we can help bring cleaner air to boaters and all local people, reduce noise on the canal, and give boaters the opportunity to increase their use of mains electricity as an energy source.”

She added: “We look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with the Canal & River Trust on future schemes and to highlight the benefits of using cleaner, greener fuel.”

Ros Daniels, director of the London and South East Canal & River Trust, said: “Many boaters are very eco-conscious and these moorings can give an alternative to diesel or solid fuel sources, while still being available to those who do not yet have a mains connection.

“As custodians of 2,000 miles of waterways we want to ensure that we are playing our part in the government’s Clean Air Strategy and on Clean Air Day are pleased to be working with Islington to offer different choices to boaters.”