Bath Houseboat Community Pledges to Fight River Avon Eviction Order

A community of live aboard boaters on the River Avon in Bath has pledged to fight a council order requiring them to leave moorings south of Pulteney Weir by September.

Bath and North East Somerset Council says the decision is based on safety concerns. The authority argues that the stretch is vulnerable to severe flooding in bad weather and that remaining in place through the winter could put lives at risk.

Sarah Warren, the council's deputy leader, said the authority is working with the Canal and River Trust to help boat owners move to safer locations. She added that legal action would only be used as a final resort if the site is not cleared by the deadline.

Boaters living along the stretch dispute the council's assessment. They argue that their moorings are not uniquely dangerous compared with other parts of the River Avon and say the authority should work with them on practical safety improvements rather than removing the community entirely.

Residents also say their presence improves safety along the riverside. They point to incidents where boaters have helped people in difficulty in the water and say occupied vessels provide natural surveillance for pedestrians using the path at night.

For many of the people affected, the boats are permanent homes rather than leisure craft. Alternative moorings in the region are limited, and residents fear they could be left with nowhere suitable to go.

Percy Walton, who has lived on the waterways since 2000 and at this location for four years, said he wants to contest the order through legal channels. He relies on solar power and off grid water collection and says residents would be willing to pay rent if the council offered formal management and basic amenities.

I feel this is a good place to live, Walton said. We are part of the community here. This is my home.

The dispute is likely to intensify over the summer as the deadline approaches. Boaters are calling for direct talks with the council before any legal process begins.