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Plan ahead for your Olympic boating summer

22nd Sep 2011

British Waterways is urging boaters to plan ahead to make sure they can continue to enjoy London’s waterways next summer, when restrictions to navigation and use of the waterways will be put in place during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The restrictions are part of measures put in place by the Metropolitan Police Service, the London Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) and other security partners to support the wider safety and security operation for the Games. British Waterways has been working closely with these organisations to make sure boaters can make the necessary plans to continue to enjoy the historic canals and waterways, while ensuring that the millions of visitors and Londoners in the capital during this period can enjoy this spectacular sporting event safely and securely.

Full restriction information

Boaters who want to use the waterways during the Games should ensure they are aware of the following restrictions and plan accordingly:

  • From 3 July to 10 September 2012 a mooring control zone will be in place on the following: Regent’s Canal, from Little Venice to Limehouse Basin; Hertford Union Canal; Limehouse Cut; River Lee Navigation from Bow Locks to above Hackney Marshes (Lea Bridge Road). Anyone who doesn’t have a home mooring or hasn’t pre-booked a visitor mooring will be asked to leave these zones for the duration of this period.
  • From 24 June to 10 September 2012 moorings will also be temporarily suspended along a short section of the River Lee Navigation between the A12 and the A11 road bridge in Bromley-by-Bow, and a short section of the eastern end of the Hertford Union Canal, in Hackney Wick.
  • In addition to temporary mooring restrictions, there will also be restrictions to boat movements in this area, from 3 July to 10 September 2012. Boaters wishing to travel along the River Lee Navigation through the area will be required to pre-book passage during two daily navigation windows, from 6-9am and then from 7-9pm.
  • From 3 July to 10 September 2012 both the Hertford Union Bottom Lock and Commercial Road Lock on the Regent’s Canal will also be closed.

Summer of activity and excitement

British Waterways’ waterway manager, Jon Guest said: “While we understand that the suspension to mooring and the restrictions on travelling by boat along the River Lee Navigation are going to cause disruption to some inland waterway users during summer 2012, working with the security organisations and police, we think that this is a fair and sensible way to help ensure the safety of all visitors to the Olympic Games.

“There’s going to be a brilliant atmosphere in London during the summer of 2012 with both sports and culture combining to make one big summer of activity and excitement. We are advising boat owners to think about their journeys in and around London’s waterways now and plan ahead to enjoy next summer.”

Met Police Commander Bob Broadhurst, in charge of the Met’s safety and security operation for the Games, said: “During the London 2012 Games millions of additional visitors will come to London for the biggest sporting event that London and the UK have ever seen.

“Together with our partners we have been in discussion with British Waterways about how we can best protect the Olympic Park during the Games. These measures are being put in place due to the specific geography of this area and how close the canal is to the Olympic Park. We recognise that these restrictions will impact on boaters, and we have worked to find a solution that will ensure the majority of the waterways remain open and to minimise disruptions.

“With less than one year to go until the opening ceremony, we are raising awareness of these plans so that the public can begin planning now and enjoy both the waterways and the Games next year. It is vital that the Park and the wider Games are safe and secure and we will work with all our partners to make sure this happens.”

Boat owners wishing to pre-book a passage through the restricted area on the River Lee Navigation should email olymoorings@britishwaterways.co.uk or call 0207 985 7200. Boaters should book at least one week in advance of their intended travel date.

For information about mooring in and around central London during summer 2012 boaters should visit www.waterscape.com/londonboats2012.

Last updated: 23/09/2011

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