Debris and waste left from unauthorised slum boats blighting the River Thames near the historic Hampton Court Palace have been cleared away this week as part of ongoing enforcement action. Officers from the Environment Agency, Elmbridge Borough Council, Surrey County Council, and Surrey Police returned to Molesey on Tuesday, October 8 following successful action last month.
In September, officers removed and scrapped three unregistered boats from the popular riverside spot around Cigarette Island and Hurst Park. It follows a year of action against the long-running problem. In April, persistent rule breakers who flouted the short-stay rules by seemingly were hit with civil trespass proceedings.
The Environment Agency said the action was taken against “a number of boaters” who deprived others of their rights to pull ashore at West Molesey, and "changed the character" of the river. In July, an owner of an unregistered “slum boat” was fined more than £2,000 for being moored without a licence.
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For this latest operation, officers returned to follow up on their enforcement notices, checked registrations, waste disposal, and “other compliance measures”. Elmbridge Borough Council also arranged for riverbank waste from any unauthorised moorings to be cleared.
Councillor Mike Rollings, leader of Elmbridge Borough Council, said he was determined to act against unauthorised moorings. He added: "Following the successful enforcement operation on September 24 and the follow-up on October 8, residents can be assured of our commitment to ensuring only legal and safe moorings are permitted on the River Thames in Elmbridge.
“We will continue to collaborate with our partners at the Environment Agency, Surrey Police and Surrey County Council to take action against unauthorised moorings." The problem has been a bane for residents and river users for years and has previously been referred to by councillors as "slum boats".
A former council leader described the offending vessels as “unsightly” with “no means of propulsion and are let out as low grade temporary accommodation. “Local people refer to them as 'slumboats' and our collective efforts to remove them have become a source of frustration and wry amusement."
In March 2023, the Environment Agency began legal proceedings against 10 people who refused to move. The hearing took place over three days with the written judgement finding in favour of the Environment Agency on all points.
