Unauthorised boat waste cleared from River Thames

Debris and waste left from unauthorised boats blighting the River Thames in Surrey have been cleared away.

Officers from the Environment Agency, Elmbridge Borough Council, Surrey County Council, and Surrey Police returned to Molesey on Tuesday.

In September, officers removed and scrapped three unregistered boats from the popular riverside spot around Cigarette Island and Hurst Park, near Hampton Court Palace.

It follows a year of enforcement action against the long-running problem.

In April, "a number of boaters" who persistently flouted the short stay rules were hit with civil trespass proceedings, reported the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The Environment Agency said they had deprived others of their rights to pull ashore at West Molesey, and “changed the character” of the river.

Two months later, the owner of an unregistered boat was fined more than £2,000 for being moored without a licence.

For the latest operation, officers returned to follow up on their enforcement notices and checking registrations.

Elmbridge Borough Council arranged for riverbank waste from any unauthorised moorings to be cleared.

Mike Rollings, leader of Elmbridge Borough Council, said he was determined to act against unauthorised moorings.

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.

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