Rivers and Estuaries: Derelict Boats

Lord Berkeley Excerpts

Thursday 19th June 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Katz (Lab)]

The noble Lord raises an interesting case of some very positive enforcement action that was taken by the local authority that he named. We very encourage all navigation authorities to work with local stakeholders, communities and local authorities to do as much as they can to remove that blight. For noble Lords’ information, in 2024-25, the Canal & River Trust removed 12 abandoned derelict and sunken boats from its rivers, and 96 such boats from its canals. The average cost of removal was £7,000.

[Lord Berkeley (Lab)]

My Lords, can the Minister explain the best and most environmentally friendly way to dispose of boats, most of which are made from glass fibre these days? I suspect that many people, in extremis, set fire to them, which is not a good idea. Do the Government give any advice to help this process along?

[Lord Katz (Lab)]

My Lords, we leave such matters to the experts. My noble friend raises an interesting point, which I am sure navigation authorities consider. This is why it is important that the Government, while they are in close consultation with navigation authorities, do not step in on operational matters but ensure that navigation authorities are working with communities, stakeholders and—equally importantly—the owners to ensure safe disposal.