I should have posted this weeks ago...

The Conservators of the River Cam are trying to throw all the liveaboard boats off Midsummer Common here in Cambridge (currently my home) between October and March in order to make more room for novice rowers. There are many flaws in this plan:
1/. There is plenty of space on the river for everyone to use and enjoy it, rowers and boaters alike. If all keep a vigilant eye out and are patient and understanding towards one another, there is no need for the boats to go.
2/. Another (maximum) of 10 ft in width on the river won't make the blindest bit of difference to rowers, since all the narrow, winding parts of the river are already 'No Mooring' zones. The space they currently have is already over the Olympic standard for boat racing.
3/. In addition to the above, a racing boat hitting a narrowboat will cause and feel little damage, as the narrowboat will move slightly on impact like a cushion or buffer. The banks of the River Cam do not do this and so are more likely to cause a lot more damage to boats being rowed by novices.
4/. There is not enough provision being made for the liveaboards. They are expected to either go elsewhere entirely (the next suitable mooring area for narrow/widebeam boats with good access to Cambridge and the railway is Ely) or to moor up, two or more abreast in Jubilee Gardens above Jesus Lock, which will in all probability cause major problems if the river floods, never mind it making access and turning hard for the longer/wider boats.
5/. There was not even a proper consultation between the council, the Conservators and the people directly affected by this ban, the byelaws were simply passed as quickly as possible.
6/. Without the boats there, large amounts of the riverside walkway will be totally uninhabited, therefore making them a haven for criminals - it is entirely possible that the incidences of rape, murder, GBH and theft (among others) on the common will rise. I know that currently I feel totally safe walking across ther at any time of day or night. I wouldn't if there were no boats there.

There are many other reasons in addition to the above as to why it is a bad idea to move the moored boats off the common. Common land belongs to everyone and yes, we do moor for free. However, unlike paid-for moorings, we have no services (rubbish, toilets/showers, washing machines etc.) and the services we do have (water and pump-out) we have to pay for - either directly or through the river tax (licence fee) we each pay every year.

You can read more at: http://www.camboaters.co.uk/theban.html
and sign the petition against the ban here: http://www.petitiononline.com/rivercam/petition.html

Please propogate these links as it is vitally important that Cambridge does not lose this important part of its history (the stones to build some of the colleges were brought in by boats on the river) and charm.

thank-you.