Latest news with #BetterMooringsProject
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Sunk and abandoned boats recovered from river
Wrecked and abandoned boats sunk in the River Avon near Wiltshire have been recovered, with the last having been removed last week. An operation to recover five boats that had been abandoned by their owners and left to rot and sink in the river as it passes through Bath began in March, but on May 9, was finally completed. The operation near Pulteney Weir in the town centre was carried out by Bath & North East Somerset Council due to the boats posing a hazard to other users of river and a pollution risk to the water. The works were part of the Better Moorings Project which seeks to address a range of mooring-related matters in Bath and North East Somerset. The works were carried out by specialist contractors Strate Marine Services and began on March 15, with the final boat having been removed last week. Recommended reading: New tattoo shop opens its doors in Wiltshire town Major UFO Conference coming to Wiltshire town this year Historic building to be turned into new Wetherspoons as permission granted The council announced the removal of the boats in early March, when councillors said the boats had become a hazard in the waterway and threatened the ecology of the area. The council added that it would be seeking recovery of £72,600 total costs for the removals of the boats once the job had finished. The council says it is seeking to recover the removal costs from the boat owners, who are encouraged to engage with the council at their earliest convenience to minimise additional storage costs. One of the wrecks now recovered from the River Avon. (Image: BANES Council.) Mooring in the Pulteney stretch of the River Avon remains closed due to health and safety concerns. All boat owners moored in the area have been advised of the risks and were encouraged to vacate the area prior to the winter. Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services, said: 'These five boats have been an issue for some time and it's fantastic that the removal operation has been completed. Thank you to residents and businesses in the area for your patience while the works were carried out and to Strate Marine Services and our Better Moorings team, who all worked tirelessly to achieve this positive outcome. 'The removals will ensure the safety of all river users and enhance everyone's enjoyment of this iconic waterway, whilst reducing the levels of artificial waste in the river. 'We advise boat owners to safely moor at recognised and officially open mooring sites, monitor their moorings regularly throughout the winter season, ensure their boats are fit for the water and are fully insured inclusive of salvage.'
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Work starts to remove sunken boats from river
Work has begun to remove five sunken boats from the River Avon in Bath. Bath and North East Somerset Council (BANES) said the submerged vessels near Pulteney Weir are dangerous to others and pose a pollution risk. Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for neighbourhood services, said: "We have exhausted our attempts to work with the owners to arrange self-recovery, so as a last resort we will be carrying out the operation on their behalf." The work begins on Saturday and is expected to last approximately one week. "We're chasing the owners for recovery costs when we know who exactly owns the boats - but we only know one or two of them," Mr Ball said. The council is hoping to recover the £72,600 costs of the removal once the work is completed. "The sunken boats have been creating a hazard in the waterway and posing a risk to its ecology for a long time, however they are the property of the boat owners who are responsible for them," Mr Ball said. Several of the boats have been left for several years, and the logistics of such an operation present a challenge, the council said. "Some of them are in difficult positions and whether we can actually pull them out on Wednesday and Thursday next week is largely dependent on the weather," Mr Ball said. The same project was attempted last year but was abandoned due to the weather. The works are being done as part of the council's Better Moorings Project, which seeks to address a range of boat mooring-related issues. Several other sunken boats along the river have already been removed by the Canal and River Trust. The council has promised to try to minimize disruption, but sections of the towpath will be closed while the boats are removed. Relief over plans to remove abandoned boats Woman who 'married' Avon continues clean water calls Factory to be torn down to make way for riverside flats BANES
BBC News
15-03-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Work starts to remove sunken boats from River Avon
Work has begun to remove five sunken boats from the River Avon in and North East Somerset Council (BANES) said the submerged vessels near Pulteney Weir are dangerous to others and pose a pollution Tim Ball, cabinet member for neighbourhood services, said: "We have exhausted our attempts to work with the owners to arrange self-recovery, so as a last resort we will be carrying out the operation on their behalf."The work begins on Saturday and is expected to last approximately one week. "We're chasing the owners for recovery costs when we know who exactly owns the boats - but we only know one or two of them," Mr Ball council is hoping to recover the £72,600 costs of the removal once the work is completed."The sunken boats have been creating a hazard in the waterway and posing a risk to its ecology for a long time, however they are the property of the boat owners who are responsible for them," Mr Ball of the boats have been left for several years, and the logistics of such an operation present a challenge, the council said."Some of them are in difficult positions and whether we can actually pull them out on Wednesday and Thursday next week is largely dependent on the weather," Mr Ball said. The same project was attempted last year but was abandoned due to the works are being done as part of the council's Better Moorings Project, which seeks to address a range of boat mooring-related other sunken boats along the river have already been removed by the Canal and River council has promised to try to minimize disruption, but sections of the towpath will be closed while the boats are removed.
