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Boat owners who ignored short stay rules on the River Thames and instead moored for years are facing civil trespass proceedings.

The Environment Agency (EA) says it has successfully brought the action against a number of boaters who have moored continuously at West Molesey in Surrey.

A judge found those who overstay deprive others of their rights to pull ashore and “change the character” of the river, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Current rules only permit boats travelling along the river for pleasure to moor for no longer than 24 hours.

The EA said it was forced to take action as a "last resort" after a series of complaints and years of failed efforts to persuade boat owners to move voluntarily.

EA manager Joe Cuthbertson said he hoped the boat owners will move before "enforcement action becomes necessary" as "this is all we have ever asked of them”.

In Autumn 2022 the EA served notices on boats moored without permission saying they were "trespassing on the riverbed".

In March 2023 they issued proceedings demanding the remaining 10 boats leave.

The hearing took place over three days last year and the written judgement was passed down in March 2024, in favour of the EA on all points.

In a statement, the judge said boat owners would not be made homeless, adding: "They will be prevented from long-term and residential mooring on this stretch of the river, but could move elsewhere.”

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