We know how much our riverside sites are important to residents and visitors, offering great walks and green spaces. With the increased number of visitors, we also have an increased number of unauthorised moorings along the riverbank and we want to make sure that the riverside spaces can continue to be enjoyed by local people and river users.
Previous consultation and concerns raised
Two phases of consultation were undertaken from February to December 2023 on a possible Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to restrict mooring to 24 hours (no return within 72 hours) at Ditton Reach, Albany Reach, Cigarette Island, Cowey Sale and Hurst Park and Surrey County Council’s land adjacent to Hampton Court bridge (Parrs mooring).This was considered by Cabinet on 5 July 2023.
While there was overall support (85% either agree or strongly agree), there was also some opposition to the proposal (13% disagree or strongly disagree). See the full results:
Respondents were generally supportive of a PSPO to help to manage the riverbank and allow for a busy active riverbank. However there were a number of concerns about the potential targeting of boaters, and possibly making boat owners homeless. Some of these concerns are being considered further in the current consultation.
Second phase consultation
To be transparent, to address concerns from the previous consultation and to ensure that due process for a PSPO is met, a second phase of consultation considered more detail on how a potential PSPO for unauthorised moorings would be implemented and enforced.
The documents below provide more details on the potential PSPO:
Riverside sites affected by PSPO:
Next steps
The council adopted a new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) on 21 February 2024.
Following the making of the PSPO, the council has received a legal challenge within the time limits. The council is now preparing for a court hearing to defend the PSPO in November 2024, following service of evidence in the support of the claim. While doing so, the council voluntarily suspends the operation of the PSPO until the conclusion of this legal challenge.