Live-aboards to move for bridge - Vickers

10.11.12am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 14th Sep 2006

Cllr Tony Vickers surveys the moorings

A community of boat dwellers moored near the proposed new footbridge at Northcroft, Newbury are celebrating success in their quest to move across the canal to quieter waters. At last week's Western Area Planning Committee, West Berkshire Council was awarded permission to re-locate a group of six moorings from the towpath to the canal's 'off side' - against the wishes of Canal Trust - so that the new Monkey Bridge can go ahead.

Local councillor Tony Vickers (Lib Dem, Northcroft), who has led the campaign for a new bridge since 2001, spoke at the meeting of the strong support that the 'live-aboards' have from the rest of the community. "Many residents have told me how they feel the boats are part of the character of the area and their occupants help give a sense of safety when evenings are dark and people are walking home from the town. In a recent survey of over 1000 local households, more than three out of four responses expressed support for the boat dwellers to stay in the area. Only one in ten opposed."

The owner of the local convenience store "Jacqui's", Mrs Jacqui Finch, who is also secretary of the Monkey Bridge Action Group, had written to the planners to support the move of the boat moorings. "The boat owners have given total support to building the new bridge, are being put to inconvenience by it and deserve to be treated fairly in return. Moving to the other bank will make their lives more peaceful."

The ownership of the land where the boats are presently moored has long been in dispute. Neither the Council nor British Waterways, who are responsible for canal navigation, would take responsibility for the towpath. Cllr Sue Farrant (Liberal Democrat, Northcroft) speaking in support of the planning application, said that it gave the authorities an opportunity to regularise the situation and to do it with the co-operation of the West Mills Boat Owners Association. She also pointed out that it would result in the provision of homes for up to six households who chose this way of life.

When the six new moorings are in place on the meadow side, British Waterways have said they have power to move any boats moored on the towpath side that will then be causing an obstruction to navigation. Work on the new bridge is due to start next month and be complete in the spring.