Bath & North East Somerset Council has ordered houseboat residents to vacate their moorings near the historic Pulteney Bridge. Local officials cite safety risks and unauthorized placement, while residents suggest the move is tied to urban development.

The "Hazard" Label and the Pulteney Bridge View

The Liberal Democrat-controlled Bath & North East Somerset Council has branded the houseboats moored along the River Avon as a "hazrd," claiming the current mooring locations are both unauthorized and dangerous. According to the report, the council is taking these steps to ensure public safety and protect the visual integrity of the 18th-century Pulteney Bridge, a landmark that attracts millions of tourists to the city annually.

For years, boat owners have utilized what they describe as "free navigation" to live rent-free in one of the city's most picturesque settings. While the council views these vessels as an eyesore and a risk, some residents have expressed a willingness to pay for legal moorings if it meant they could remain in the heart of Bath.

The Bath Rugby Stadium Expansion Theory

While the council frames the eviction as a safety measure, residents argue the true motivation is the redevelopment of local sports infrastructure. A 54-year-old resident named Ted claims the health and safety narrative is merely a tool to clear the area for a new Bath Rugby stadium intended to replace the existing facility nearby.

This tension reflects a broader urban struggle seen in many historic European cities, where the desire for modern infrastructure and "curated" tourism often clashes with fringe communities. By removing the boats and surrounding trees, the council could potentially streamline the land for commercial or athletic use, a move that Ted suggests will be carried out with force by September.

Percy Walton and the £1.5 Million Eviction Cost

The legal battle over the River Avon banks may be more expensive than the council anticipates. Percy Walton, who has lived on his boat in Bath for four years, claims he has heard that the council may spend as much as £1.5 million in legal fees to successfully evict the residents.

As reported, Walton and other boat dwellers believe the council lacks a strong legal standing for the eviction.. Rather than leaving, some residents are considering submitting a formal planning application to manage the moorings themselves, proposing a regulated system that could accommodate residential boats, holiday vessels, and river tours to benefit the local economy.

The Lack of Residential Canal Moorings

A critical point of contention remains the lack of viable alternatives for those being displaced. One unnamed resident noted that while the council may wish to move them to the canal, there are currently no residential moorings available in that location, leaving the boat dwellers in a state of housing instability.

Furthermore , the residents have challenged the council's safety claims,arguing that the installation of pontoons—which are used elsewhere along the river—would solve any flooding or stability issues.. This raises the question of whether the Bath & North East Somerset Council is genuinely concerned with safety or if the "scruffy" appearance of the boats is the primary driver for their removal.