Regent’s Canal: Proposed ban ‘greenwashing’

PLANS for an “eco-mooring zone” along an Islington stretch of Regent’s Canal will ban visiting boats using diesel generators.

The Canal and River Trust, working with the Town Hall, says the new policy between York Way in King’s Cross and Danbury Street, in Angel – on the other side of the Islington Tunnel – aims to cut fumes.

As the measures were announced this week, however, barge owners said the proposals were an “unnecessary diversion” away from the cause of toxic air.

The trust said that, although research shows the impact of boat emissions is “minimal” in comparison to road traffic pollution, the people most at risk from engine fumes are boaters themselves.

It wants to introduce cleaner sources of energy, such as electric charging points, for heating and cooking rather than burning solid fuels.

Ros Daniels, the trust’s director for London and the South-east, said: “Many boaters are keen to embrace green initiatives and often have already established a smaller environmental ‘footprint’ as they pursue a low-impact way of life. However, some urban areas can present particular challenges.”

She added: “In Islington, the ‘funnel’ effect created by the canyon around the Islington Tunnel section of Reg­ent’s Canal means that noise and fumes can have a greater impact than in other areas.”

Helen Delmar, treasurer of the National Bargee Travellers Association, said the proposed “eco-moorings” were “greenwashing and an unnecessary diversion of attention away from London’s toxic air, the real cause being too much road traffic”.

She added: “It’s easier to point the finger at a small community than deal with the enormity of the underlying problem. The carbon footprint of a boater with a diesel engine is significantly less than those who own a car and live in a house.

“The supposed solution provides mains electricity which is generated by fossil fuels and is therefore far from the eco-friendly option it purports to be.

“Without consideration being made to fuel poverty, and with no offer to help people with little money to heat their homes, it would be tantamount to social cleansing.”

Plans are due to go live next October, with a review two years later of the impact on boaters, air quality and nearby residents.

It was not clear this week what penalties there would be for those breaking the rules.

Beniot Gouttenoire, 36, who moors his boat in the designated area for about three weeks a year, praised initiatives leading to a greener environment.

But he added: “It’s quite important that it remains visitor mooring and doesn’t become more exclusive, for people who can afford to change technology or have newer boats.”

Islington environment chief Councillor Claudia Webbe said: “Islington is the most densely-populated borough in the country and the boating community are an important part of that vibrant mix.

“At the same time there are high levels of air pollution across Islington, making this a very serious issue for every one of us – it is literally a matter of life and death.”

She added: “While recognising the challenges for some boat owners in leaving diesel generators and solid fuel burners behind in favour of electricity, the benefits for all of using a cleaner, greener fuel are clear.”