You are here:

News

Radio 1 DJ caught speeding... at 4mph

22nd Jul 2005

Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles has been caught speeding - on the Oxford Canal.

The Breakfast Show DJ had embarked on a rather unusual outside broadcast, presenting his programme from Oxfordshire Narrowboats' boat Cropredy. Together with sidekick Comedy Dave, waterpistol-toting assistant Aled and long-suffering producer Rachel, they cruised the Oxford Canal from Banbury to the village of Lower Heyford, commentating on canal life to millions of listeners across Britain.

But there was one problem they hadn't reckoned on - and that was just how remote the Oxford Canal is.

The rural waterway frequently meanders into the cover of woodland or under 19th century bridges, at which point the radio crew lost their satellite link to the London studio. Consequently, Chris' periods of calm cruising were punctuated by bursts of speed to get to the next clearing.

An eagle-eyed British Waterways employee spotted them making a "breaking wash" - canal-speak for the waves caused by the boat's wake. Triggered by excessive speed, this wash can erode the canal bank. The speed limit on the Oxford Canal is only 4mph.

"Fortunately, they slowed down after that," according to Waterscape.com editor Richard Fairhurst who was on the scene. "In fact, at one point later they were even overtaken by a family of ducklings."

A British Waterways spokesman said that, in view of the extenuating circumstances, they were unlikely to be issuing a Fixed Penalty Notice. But he would not confirm rumours that speed cameras are to be installed in readiness for Chris's next trip.

Hire a boat on the Oxford Canal

Last updated: 22/10/2008