Unauthorised boats fined and moved away

Only six boats remain on the waterway, said a council

Boats on a stretch of the River Thames in Surrey have been fined and moved on as part of an operation against unauthorised moorings.

Elmbridge Borough Council (EBC) said 17 vessels moored at Cigarette Island, opposite Hampton Court Palace, were served with warning notices last week and that only six remain.

Two fixed penalty notices were also issued.

Any of the remaining boats that continue to stay will be issued with fines, the local authority warned.

'Anti-social behaviour'

Six sunken or partially submerged vessels will be salvaged over the next fortnight, it added.

EBC said it was working with the Environment Agency to find a long-term solution.

Councillor Simon Waugh, portfolio holder for leisure, culture and commercial strategy, said the local authority was "determined to maintain safe, clean, and accessible riverbanks for everyone in the community".

A public space protection order came into force on 17 June, restricting mooring to 24 hours with no return within 72 hours at five locations in Elmbridge.

The locations are Ditton Reach, Albany Reach, Cigarette Island, Cowey Sale, Hurst Park and Surrey County Council's land adjacent to Hampton Court Bridge (Parrs mooring).

Boats (pictured) have moved on from Cigarette Island

The operation to enforce this order, involving Surrey County Council and Surrey Police, began on 25 June.

Councillor Simon Waugh, EBC's deputy leader, previously said the "disruption caused by unauthorised moorings has gone on for too long".

Enforcement was being stepped up to address "overstaying boats and associated anti-social behaviour," he added.