A heated clash has emerged in Bath after boat owners moored near the historic Pulteney Weir were served eviction notices, sparking accusations over the true motives behind the order.
The boats, many serving as holiday accommodations, sit near the iconic Pulteney Bridge — a landmark that once attracted literary figure Jane Austen. Bath & North East Somerset Council insists the removals are necessary due to serious health and safety concerns, describing the vessels as hazardous and situated in unauthorized and dangerous mooring zones.
However, the boaters dispute these claims vehemently. They contend the so-called safety threat is a pretext, masking what they believe to be an attempt to clear the area for a proposed replacement rugby stadium adjacent to the weir. They also reject descriptions of their boats as “scruffy,” considering this a prejudiced characterization used to justify their removal.
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Ted, 54, a long-time boat owner, expressed frustration: “There’s no health and safety issue—they’re using that as an excuse. It’s about the rugby ground, clearing out the boats and the trees. They plan to move us by September, likely by force if needed. No one owns this stretch—not even the council. The real reason is the stadium and the ‘scruffy’ look of the boats.”
Other residents echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the safety of their moorings despite periodic flooding and lack of comparable restrictions elsewhere along the River Avon. They highlight that practical measures like pontoon installations, found in other locations, have not been offered here. Financially, they claim the council’s costly legal maneuvers—rumored to reach £1.5 million—are an inefficient approach compared to simply managing the moorings safely.
“We won’t leave quietly,” added one resident. “We plan to apply for permission to regulate holiday and residential moorings ourselves and maintain tours safely. We contribute to tourism and form part of the river’s charm, not a hindrance.”
Percy Walton, 67, who has lived aboard his boat for four years, lamented the council’s lack of alternatives: “The eviction letter was sudden. There are no other mooring options on the Avon, so where do they expect us to move? We clear our waste responsibly, attract tourists, and have had no safety incidents. The claim that we are ‘scruffy’ and unsafe feels politically motivated. There’s talk of a café and the rugby ground redevelopment. They gave us a September deadline but didn’t provide relocation options.”
Council officials maintain their position, stating boat owners will be supported in relocating vessels by mid-September due to safety risks from flooding and obstruction of critical flood defense channels. The council points out that prior warnings and notices were ignored, especially concerning holiday rental boats moored during winter.
Councillor Sarah Warren, deputy leader and cabinet member for sustainability, emphasized safety concerns: “Boats moored in this stretch face high flood risks, particularly during severe weather, which could endanger lives. Unsafe mooring practices, such as gangplanks on benches and blocking essential grab lines, further increase injury risks. We are committed to working with boat owners and the Canal & River Trust to ensure everyone can be safely relocated. If vessels remain beyond the deadline, legal action will follow.”
The dispute underscores a tension between preserving Bath’s historic riverside identity, ensuring public safety, and advancing city development plans—leaving boat owners determined to defend their place on the water.