Alain Gough-Olaya resides on the houseboat he constructed during his time in the Midlands, prior to relocating to London where he took up a position as a community mental health nurse in Hackney.
He identifies as a continuous cruiser, a type of boater who lacks a fixed mooring and relocates between temporary spots along the River Lea and further afield every two weeks.
To access these moorings and essential services such as waste disposal stations, he pays approximately £1,600 annually to the Canal and River Trust (CRT).
“The fee we pay for the licence isn’t exactly like rent; it’s more comparable to council tax,” Alain clarifies. “This licence covers all our amenities and allows us to live on the water.”
However, his ability to maintain this way of life may hinge on the results of an ongoing review of boat licensing initiated in January by an independent commission.
The rules governing waterway use have not been revised since the British Waterways Act of 1995, prompting the governing body to seek a fresh evaluation.
“The number of vessels has surged in the past three decades, and an increasing number of individuals are choosing to live on the water, which has truly revitalized the canals,” states Matthew Symonds from the CRT.
“Nevertheless, this rise presents challenges in managing numerous boats within limited areas and ensuring fairness for everyone involved.”
Residents on boats are concerned that new regulations may disproportionately impact continuous cruisers, potentially forcing them to search for costly and scarce permanent moorings.
Alain fears this could result in itinerant boaters like himself being pushed off the waterways entirely, possibly requiring him to leave both the capital and his nursing career.
“I simply wouldn’t be able to continue this line of work or live in London. I’d have to find a place elsewhere.”
SJ, a student and part-time caregiver initially from south London, also owns a boat on the River Lea, which she is currently renovating due to the high costs of renting housing.
“About three or four years ago, I realized that living in London was no longer feasible for me,” she explains. “This is where I was raised, and that doesn’t seem fair.”
As a continuous cruiser, SJ shares concerns regarding the implications of the review on her way of life, noting that even if she could find a permanent mooring, it would be financially unmanageable for her.
The National Bargee Travellers Association, which advocates for traveling boat residents, fears that legislative changes could dismantle the continuous cruising lifestyle, leaving countless boaters without homes.
In a statement to the BBC, they remarked, “The most probable outcome of abandoning the British Waterways Act of 1995 will lead to a highly contentious, distressing, and very costly scenario, where boaters with no alternatives resist eviction, while the CRT incurs substantial legal expenses in efforts to displace them.”
The CRT has made it clear that the current boaters’ licences and fees will remain unchanged until 2028, with no anticipated adjustments before that time.
They intend to consult with boaters and other relevant parties in the coming months.
The findings from the commission are scheduled to be presented to the CRT’s board of trustees in September, after which a decision on the next steps will be made.
