Decision details

To consider recommendations from the Mead Lane, Saltford River Bank structural survey in line with Cabinet decision of 16/01/2020.

RESOLVED (unanimously) that the Cabinet agreed to:

·  Reduce the number of moorings in the short/medium term, by implementing paragraphs 2.2. & 2.3, thereby increasing the amount of open space along Mead Lane

·  Agree to a long-term aspiration to relocate moorings from Mead Lane – with a target date of 31^st December 2022

·  Ensure that suitable alternative moorings are identified and in place prior to reducing further any moorings at Mead Lane

·  To increase enforcement & engagement capacity

Specifically:

2.1 To work with Waterspace Partners to identify alternative sites for 14-day moorings along the watercourse and to request that it gives due consideration to the Opinion Research Survey assessment and findings, and

2.2  To remove the 48-hour moorings at Mead Lane from 1/11/20, on a permanent basis, this part of the riverbank to be reallocated as open space for other leisure purposes and

2.3  Agree to no 14-day moorings at Mead Lane, on a seasonal basis, during the time period 1 November until the end of February each year and

2.4  When the Waterspace Partnership programme of work and Opinion Research Survey assessment is complete (see 2.1 above), review the moorings on Mead Lane, with the aim that the total number of 14 day moorings available along the watercourse are not reduced, and

2.5   Create a joint River Warden post with the Canal and Rivers Trust (CRT)

2.6  Delegate future decisions on Mead Lane/moorings to the Cabinet Member for Community Services, in consultation with the Director of Environment and,

2.7 Request that the Cabinet Members for Transport and Director of Environment, in consultation with Avon and Somerset Police, review the parking restrictions along Mead Lane/Saltford

2.8  Request that officers devise a charging regime for moorings at Mead Lane, to be implemented from 1st March 2021, in accordance with delegations outlined in recommendation 2.6.  Requests for future capital allocation for moorings to be considered as part of the council annual budget setting process.

The Council is landowner for a stretch of riverbank on Mead Lane.  Following an escalation in the number of informal moorings, a decision was taken to formalise the arrangements to help control moorings on this stretch of the watercourse.  The trial was introduced in 2016 and an initial review was undertaken approximately 1 year later.  The moorings remained in place until a more substantial review and consultation was undertaken in 2019.  The results of the 2019 review and engagement were reported to Cabinet in January this year.  Following the Cabinet decision, Cabinet/Council approved a revenue budget provision of £35,000 for Mead Lane.  The funding, available from 1 April 2020, was to be used to engage civil engineers to review the stability of the riverbank and to enhance officer provision to monitor arrangements.

·  Retain the existing mooring arrangements

·  Increase the number of 48-hour moorings, reduce the number of 14-day moorings

·  Managed open space, no moorings

·  Measures to prevent mooring at Mead Lane