Lib Dems support High Court action to protect River Brent navigation and freight potential

5.37.00pm GMT Wed 4th Nov 2009

Mona Naqvi, Joe Bourke and Cllr Andrew Dakers by the now rarely seen freight barges on thhe Grand Union Canal at Brentford

Local Lib Dems have given their backing to a legal challenge in the High Court that has been launched to prevent an important Hounslow waterway from being partially obstructed by moored boats, which will impede safe navigation. The Regents Network and Brentford Waterside Forum's, campaigning to bring London's waterways back to life, has led the objections to the boat mooring proposal that would block more than one third of the mouth of the River Brent where it joins the Thames at Brentford.

This mooring scheme was rejected by the London Borough of Hounslow Area Planning Committee. With assistance and legal advice from the Environmental Law Foundation (ELF) the judicial review in the High Court will seek to overturn the appeal ecision which allows the moored boats.

Cllr Dakers, Prospective MP for Brentford & Isleworth Constituency, said:

"The local area planning committee rejected this application as we had serious concerns about safety of navigation where the River Brent joins the Thames. We were also conscious that narrowing the river at this point would constrain an increase in use of the canal for freight transport. Canal freight has the potential to be a key contributor to reducing the nation's carbon emissions, as has already been demonstrated in other parts of the country.

"This is important case and, along with many other local councillors, I fully support Mr Moore, The Regents Network and the Environmental Law Foundation in their High Court action. I hope British Waterways see sense and re-consider the advice they have given thus far."

The applicant of the challenge, Mr Nigel Moore who is a boater on the River Brent, says:

"I am angry that the waterways and Thames are disregarded, and also that important environmental benefits that the waterways could deliver are constantly sidelined. It is established that a public right of navigation still exists over the River Brent. This mooring proposal to obstruct that right is outrageous".

Del Brenner, spokesman for the Regents Network and a member of the London Waterways Commission, says:

"The River Brent is a vital link, and will contribute to tens of thousands of lorries being taken off London's roads. This will have major consequences for climate change. The appeal decision from the Secretary of State to allow the moorings to block the waterway flies in the face of the government's own transport policies, and disregards the significant environmental benefits that will result with the modal shift of freight from roads to water. We are working very hard to see water freight return to the Thames and canals, and there is a growing lobby of transport companies and freight operators who are poised to step in and get it underway".

NOTES TO EDITORS

Motion to Isleworth and Brentford Area Planning Committee (22 Oct 2009)

Moved by: Councillor Shirley Fisher

Seconded by: Councillor Hardy

The Area Committee supports the action taken by Del Brenner in challenging the Inspector's decision regarding the moorings on the River Brent, and, Instructs the Director of Environment and his staff to co-operate fully and in a timely manner with any reasonable requests from Mr Brenner relating to this.

Furthermore, that IBAC, in line with residents' wishes, recommends to the Sustainable Development Committee that it is investigated to lift the following planning obligations relating to ferry Quays development;

That which compels Hither Green to site moorings in the River Brent.

That which compels Hither Green to erect a building on Point Wharf and to replace this with a condition to create an appropriate garden area with a seating area.

And, that he ensures that proper enforcement action is taken to compel Hither Green to complete the Ferry Quays as soon as reasonable.

IBAC also asks that there should be a report at the next meeting of IBAC detailing progress on the above items.

Voting for: Councillors Caroline Andrews (Community Group), Phil Andrews (Community Group), Dakers (Lib Dem), Paul Fisher (Community Group), Shirley Fisher (Community Group), Hardy (Community Group), and Hibbs (Community Group).

Voting against: Councillor Carey (Conservative)

Abstained: Councillors Cadbury (Labour), Harmer (Labour) and Reid (Conservative)

Source: http://democraticservices.hounslow.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?MId=5314