GOOD NEWS:
GONE - VESSELS NOW JUST A BAD MEMORY!
A reminder, lest we forget, of what the community had to endure for many years at Hurst Park.
But, the local community did not give up! On 24 September 2024, in a joint operation between the Environment Agency, Surrey Police and Elmbridge Council, both vessels were towed away for scrapping. On the same day, the Agency issued enforcement notices to an unknown number of boats moored without authorisation along our Molesey stretch, which they followed up on 8 October. The council also cleaned up detritus and objects from the riverbank, left by these boats - all at taxpayer expense. The Agency states there is now a plan for notices to reinforce regulations and for meaningful enforcement.
Whilst delighted to see the removal of Hui and RoR (names the vessels were known by), Molesey Riverside Action Group (MRAG) continues the fight against the blight of unuthorised mooring throughout Molesey Reach ith regular multi-agency meetings. Legal action has been sucessful, brought by the Agency to prove trespass over the river bed by overstaying boats which occupy the public navigation. Some occupants also illegally enclose public land alongside the Thames Path right of way. Water and land are our common assets where public access dates back time immemorial.
There have been earlier successes too: a court case, brought in Staines Magistrates' Court, against Alistair Trotman, then owner of the unsightly accommodation barges (pictured above) moored without authorisation in the Arcadian view from Hampton. The EA was pleased to achieve on 7 October 2021 convictions on four charges - two each for obstruction of the river and failing to comply with the Harbourmaster's Direction. These incidents were at Molesey Lock in March 2019. However, the boats were still here until 24 September!
Alistair Trotman appeared at Staines Magistrates Court on 19 Janury 2022 for sentencing and
was fined £200 on each of the four offences, with a total of £21,471.40 costs (to be paid off at £200 a month). This was unlikely to meet public purse expeniture by the Environment Agency, following four and a half days in court with lawyers and officers, investigations, paperwork, etc. The Environment Agency barrister commented to the court on the prolonged process, which might normally occupy a hearing of, say, a morning, and that this was why costs might be disproportionate to the fines levied.
For the community, it is good to know that the authorities continue their efforts to rid our river banks of long-term unauthorised, unregulated and unmonitored residential boats and abandoned wrecks. Elmbridge Borough Council has information, frequently updated, on all the news about: unauthorised moorings.
MORE GOOD NEWS!
A habitat plan is leaving unmanaged margins to encourage hedgehogs into Hurst Park and Meadows and to give them safer routes, shelter and cover to move around. This followed a meeting with local community representatives and the council's Green Spaces Development officer in late January 2022. Hedgehogs have been seen in Hurst Park Estate.
UPDATE - BATHING IN THE THAMES
An increasing body of evidence is building about health risks from swimming in our river water.
COUNCIL REFUSES PERMISSION FOR WATER ACTIVITIES CENTRE ON HURST MEADOWS
Elmbridge Council has made it clear that any development on the public open land, flood plain and Green Space of Hurst Park and Meadows is unlikely to be permitted.