We hope you're all safe and well after Storm Eunice last week. We have been busy implementing emergency works across the region to cope with the damage caused by the weather.
Thanks to everyone who has sent us information on locations of storm damage in the last few days, it's been incredibly helpful. For more updates keep an eye on our regional Twitter account.
Keep reading for your news from the waterways of London.
In this issue you will find:
Update on the London Mooring Strategy
An invite to our Steele Road improvements consultation
New eco mooring points
Information about planned dredging in Norwood
Upcoming works/closures
Update on Hertford Union Canal open days
Update on London Mooring Strategy
Following our work last year to identify potential sites for new mooring rings, we will be creating three quarters of a mile of new towpath moorings in central London. Approximately 150 new rings will be installed along parts of the Grand Union Canal, Regent's Canal, and Limehouse Cut, with work commencing this month.
In the year ahead, we are planning to invest around £6m to improve and maintain London's waterways. Over £300k has been invested in delivering the London Mooring Strategy, with significantly more set to be spent over the next two years. London is hugely popular with boaters, with more residential and visiting boats every year, and the infrastructure of the 200-year-old waterways has struggled to keep up with these numbers. We are committed to investing in the future of London's waterways, to ensure that they continue to be enjoyed for many years to come.
Steele Road Consultation
As part of the London Mooring Strategy, the Trust has confirmed progress on locations for new customer service facilities, including the installation of new bins, toilets and repair facilities for boaters. One of these locations is at Steele Road in the Harlesden area of West London, where we are working with the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation and Brent Council to create a flagship community hub for boaters, local residents and businesses. We are aware of the concerns from boaters surrounding the loss of two mooring rings, but we are working hard to mitigate this with installing better facilities.The Trust will be spot-dredging and installing new mooring rings at Steele Road so that boaters can moor up to use facilities. Our ambition is to build a welcoming and vibrant public space, which will support local businesses and community activity.
There is now an opportunity to give your feedback on the detailed Steele Road proposal. Go to our Harlesden Canalside webpage to send in your thoughts; the feedback portal is open until 1 March.
New eco moorings
New eco moorings in Brentford are almost ready for use, following the success of electric charging points in Islington and Camden.
We have launched these eco moorings as part of the positive journey to making the waterways cleaner and greener, and improving London's air quality. Electric charging points offer boaters a more environmentally-friendly option, but there will of course continue to be many towpath mooring spaces available for those who are not yet able to run their boats solely on electricity. We are committed to working with the government and local authorities over the coming years to help our boaters to easily and affordably make their boats more sustainable.
Information on Norwood dredging
We will be dredging a half mile stretch at Norwood Top Lock, with the work planned to take place this spring, in order to improve access to the general 14-day towpath moorings there.
Upcoming known works/closures
Paddington Arm (Grand Union Canal)
Where: Gas Pipe Bridge
What: 1 day mooring suspension for works on Park Royal
Date of stoppage: 16/03/22 0800hrs - 16/03/22 1700hrs
Towpath closed? No
Grand Union Canal - Lock 74, Lady Capels, Glenthorn
Upstream winding hole: Lady Capels winding hole
Downstream winding hole: Junction 19 winding hole
Date of stoppage: 14/03/22 0800hrs - 18/03/22 1600hrs
Towpath closed? No
Additionally, we now have automated email updates on new notices and stoppages. You can create an account for free, and select which waterways you would like updates on. Sign up here.
Hertford Union Canal Open Days
We had to take the unfortunate decision to postpone the Hertford Union Canal open days which were due to take place on 18 and 19 Feb due to Storm Eunice. We are pleased to confirm that the open days will now take place on 5th and 6th March, and we hope to see many of you there.
Thanks for reading. If you have any questions or feedback on the content of this newsletter, please get in touch by contacting [email protected]. We'd be happy to hear from you.
Stay safe, and happy boating,
The London and South East Team
Last Edited: 01 March 2022
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