PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Boats: Runnymede and Weybridge (9 October 2024)

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what information his Department holds on when the Environment Agency plans to take enforcement action against illegal moorings in Runnymede and Weybridge constituency.

Asked by:
Dr Ben Spencer (Conservative)

Environment Agency (EA) officers have been actively patrolling the Desborough Cut area and have mapped all trespassing vessels, including wrecks and abandoned boats. As of 27 September 2024, there are 29 vessels in total in this area. These include both registered and unregistered vessels.

The EA is currently working to secure the necessary legal resources and additional funding to support the potential cases arising from a targeted operation at Desborough Cut. They have also engaged contractors to survey the sunken vessels once river conditions allow for safe access, which will help in assessing the cost of their removal and disposal. They will look to recharge an owner where possible.

Answered by:
Emma Hardy (Labour)
16 October 2024