Two new locations have opened along Regent's Canal, one near Kings Cross, and one by Angel.
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The Canal & River Trust has opened three new eco-mooring locations along Regent’s Canal after a successful trial period.
The new electric charging points are only available to boats which do not rely on a diesel engine.
Two new locations have opened along Regent’s Canal, one near Kings Cross, and one by Angel.
Costing 10p a day, they can be booked for up to a week. Islington Council and the Canal & Rivers Trust hope it will make the boating lifestyle less polluting.
Islington’s eco-mooring locations
The opening comes as London’s air quality is gaining media attention in the build up to COP26. Source: Elliot Turnbull for City News.
In order to use the new eco-chargers, vessels must be equipped to use the electric charger. The narrowboats must also register online for a slot up to 14 days before arrival and can only burn smokeless fumes when moored.
Emma, a teaching assistant from Cambridge, welcomes the move to make boating greener. “Usually we rely on our solar panels and diesel off the engine, so the less you can rely on this the better. We have a large boat and live outside of London, so mooring can be stressful.
“But, here we can book ahead and know we’re going to get a spot. It takes the stress out of it. It’s a lot cheaper and greener too”, she told City News.
In partnership with @IslingtonBC we created the first eco-mooring zone in London which, after a trial, is now open for bookings. The project, supported by funding from DEFRA, is on the Regent’s Canal located between King’s Cross and Angel, on either side of Islington Tunnel. pic.twitter.com/Cy1fEgGodo
Despite being warmly welcomed by some, others suggest that the scheme will force older boats off the water. Secretary of the National Association for Boat Owners, Anne Husar, calls the scheme a “PR stunt”, and suggests that it will lead to eco-gentrification. “These eco-moorings can only really be used by boaters who have got the money to afford the latest models.
“There is an argument that the canals are being gentrified. There is a big element of nimbyism. I got a quote to try and move my boat away from diesel and the price was £30,000. As these eco-moorings exclude older diesel boats, eco-gentrification will happen. It will force people out of popular areas”, she added.
Research from King’s College London indicates that the scheme will exclude many boaters. The survey found that only 6% of narrowboat owners in London are able to use the moorings all year round without modifying their boats.
Newly fitted eco-moorings near Danbury Street have proven to be popular. They have booked out for the next two weeks. Credit: Elliot Turnbull for City News.
‘Moving into uncharted territory’
David, a boat owner moored by Danbury Street, shared his concerns about losing freedom. “Lots of boats can’t hook up to electricity, they wouldn’t be able to moor here. They have made an exclusive zone, where only people with certain boats can moor. It will price people out. Long-term, this is moving into uncharted territory”, he told City News.
Eco-moorings may become something that Londoners will grow accustomed to. Islington Council’s Executive Member for Environment and Transport, Councillor Rowena Champion, is “looking forward to continuing to work collaboratively with the Canal & River Trust on future schemes”.
Islington Council say they want to work with the Canal & River Trust to deliver more green energy schemes in the future. They hope that initiatives like these eco-moorings will make diesel engines on barges a thing of the past.
Eco-mooring rules
· Must book in advance via the Canal & River Trust website
· You can only stay for a week
· When moored, you must no use your engine and you are only permitted to burn smokeless fumes when moored
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HeadlineFirst eco-moorings for narrowboats open in Islington
Short HeadlineIslington's first eco-moorings opens
StandfirstThe Canal & River Trust has opened Islington's first eco-moorings for narrowboats on Regent's Canal.
The Canal & River Trust has opened three new eco-mooring locations along Regent’s Canal after a successful trial period.
The new electric charging points are only available to boats which do not rely on a diesel engine.
Two new locations have opened along Regent’s Canal, one near Kings Cross, and one by Angel.
Costing 10p a day, they can be booked for up to a week. Islington Council and the Canal & Rivers Trust hope it will make the boating lifestyle less polluting.
Islington’s eco-mooring locations
The opening comes as London’s air quality is gaining media attention in the build up to COP26. Source: Elliot Turnbull for City News.
In order to use the new eco-chargers, vessels must be equipped to use the electric charger. The narrowboats must also register online for a slot up to 14 days before arrival and can only burn smokeless fumes when moored.
Emma, a teaching assistant from Cambridge, welcomes the move to make boating greener. “Usually we rely on our solar panels and diesel off the engine, so the less you can rely on this the better. We have a large boat and live outside of London, so mooring can be stressful.
“But, here we can book ahead and know we’re going to get a spot. It takes the stress out of it. It’s a lot cheaper and greener too”, she told City News.
In partnership with @IslingtonBC we created the first eco-mooring zone in London which, after a trial, is now open for bookings. The project, supported by funding from DEFRA, is on the Regent’s Canal located between King’s Cross and Angel, on either side of Islington Tunnel. pic.twitter.com/Cy1fEgGodo
Despite being warmly welcomed by some, others suggest that the scheme will force older boats off the water. Secretary of the National Association for Boat Owners, Anne Husar, calls the scheme a “PR stunt”, and suggests that it will lead to eco-gentrification. “These eco-moorings can only really be used by boaters who have got the money to afford the latest models.
“There is an argument that the canals are being gentrified. There is a big element of nimbyism. I got a quote to try and move my boat away from diesel and the price was £30,000. As these eco-moorings exclude older diesel boats, eco-gentrification will happen. It will force people out of popular areas”, she added.
Research from King’s College London indicates that the scheme will exclude many boaters. The survey found that only 6% of narrowboat owners in London are able to use the moorings all year round without modifying their boats.
Newly fitted eco-moorings near Danbury Street have proven to be popular. They have booked out for the next two weeks. Credit: Elliot Turnbull for City News.
‘Moving into uncharted territory’
David, a boat owner moored by Danbury Street, shared his concerns about losing freedom. “Lots of boats can’t hook up to electricity, they wouldn’t be able to moor here. They have made an exclusive zone, where only people with certain boats can moor. It will price people out. Long-term, this is moving into uncharted territory”, he told City News.
Eco-moorings may become something that Londoners will grow accustomed to. Islington Council’s Executive Member for Environment and Transport, Councillor Rowena Champion, is “looking forward to continuing to work collaboratively with the Canal & River Trust on future schemes”.
Islington Council say they want to work with the Canal & River Trust to deliver more green energy schemes in the future. They hope that initiatives like these eco-moorings will make diesel engines on barges a thing of the past.
Eco-mooring rules
· Must book in advance via the Canal & River Trust website
· You can only stay for a week
· When moored, you must no use your engine and you are only permitted to burn smokeless fumes when moored
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