Bath & North East Somerset Council has begun formal proceedings to recover £55,000 in public money that was spent on removing sunken boats from the River Avon in Bath.
FOUR boat owners have been served with formal demands requiring them to either settle their debts in full or agree a repayment plan.
The boat removal operation near Pulteney Weir was completed by the council in May after the abandoned boats had posed a hazard to other river users and a pollution risk to the water for many years.
Before the removal operation was carried out, the owners were approached by the council on multiple occasions over an extended period and given the opportunity to recover their vessels themselves within a designated self-recovery window; however, this was not actioned.
The owners were also given advance warning that they would be required to repay the costs if the council completed removals.
Deputy council leader Coun Sarah Warren said: “Boat owners are responsible for the maintenance and environmental impact of their vessels. These sunken boats had been creating a hazard in the waterway and posing a risk to its ecology for a long time, which is why we made every attempt to work with the owners over many months to arrange self-recovery before removing the boats ourselves as a last resort.
“We also informed the owners at every stage that failure to recover their vessels themselves would result in the council seeking recovery of the costs. The removals have cost the council about £55,000 and we hope to avoid having to take legal action to recover the money.”
The removals were part of the Better Moorings Project, which seeks to address a range of mooring-related matters in Bath and North East Somerset. They were carried out by specialist contractor Strate Marine Services, in a process which began on March 15 and ended on May 9.
Following the operation, Coun Tim Ball, cabinet member for neighbourhood services, said: “These five boats have been an issue for some time and it’s fantastic that the removal operation has been completed. Thank-you to residents and businesses in the area for your patience while the works were carried out and to Strate Marine Services and our Better Moorings team, who all worked tirelessly to achieve this positive outcome.
“The removals will ensure the safety of all river users and enhance everyone’s enjoyment of this iconic waterway, while reducing the levels of artificial waste in the river.
“We advise boat owners to safely moor at recognised and officially open mooring sites, monitor their moorings regularly throughout the winter season, ensure their boats are fit for the water and are fully insured inclusive of salvage.”
The formal recovery proceedings are being carried out in line with national protocol on pre-action Debt and the council’s own debt policy.
