-
Kingston Moorings Plan
Kingston Moorings Plan
The Project
Kingston town centre’s public moorings are in need of improvement and where possible expansion. The project aims to improve and increase mooring provision in the town and to create a more vibrant and attractive riverside for all users.
Background
In 2009 a report was commissioned to establish how the town’s waterscape could be enhanced. The report found that demand for high quality, secure moorings far outstrips supply and identified the importance of good long term management of mooring facilities and the riverside in general. The report set out a business plan for Kingston’s publicly owned moorings and recommended how new, purpose built fully serviced facilities could be introduced and maintained.
Last year the Council removed the un-serviced wooden finger moorings from Town End Wharf as the condition of these had deteriorated. The 2009 report sets out the business case for replacement fully serviced secure pontoons at this location and also along a limited length of Queens Promenade. The Moorings Plan indicates that income generated could be used to both manage these moorings and provide a surplus to be ploughed back into the upkeep of the wider riverside.
The Council does not have funding in place to introduce new high quality moorings, but will look at the funding options once feedback on the proposals is complete. However, the Mayor for London's Outer London Fund has made some funding available to carry out this consultation, and to make some improvements to the established visitor mooring locations – new rings and signage ahead of the Olympics.
The mooring proposals are inter-linked with the wider enhancements proposed being progressed through the Mayor of London’s Outer London Fund for the Ancient Market Place and the alleyways that connect with the river.
The Council is proudly working in partnership with the Thames Landscape Strategy to bring forward the Moorings Plan. Consultation is being facilitated by officers from the Thames Landscape Strategy, who have considerable knowledge and expertise in moorings and consultation work, and have worked with the Council for over 15 years to bring forward river related improvements.
The Thames Landscape Strategy is a sub-regional partnership for the River Thames between East Molesey and Kew in West London whose aim is to understand and conserve this special stretch of river and to enhance its character – both natural and manmade.
To read the 2009 Kingston Moorings Report, download it from t
he Related Documents at the bottom of the page.
Summary of the Proposals
Consultation of the Design and Location of Longer Term Purpose Built Moorings
New purpose built moorings at Town End Wharf
Town End Wharf has been a short-stay visitor mooring location for many years, but the unserviced wooden finger moorings had to be removed in 2010. The Moorings Plan identifies this location as suitable for a mix of residential, leisure and visitor mooring – perhaps 10 berths in total using a fully services pontoon structure set back sufficient distance from the river’s edge to provide security.
New purpose built moorings at Queen's Promenade
Queens Promenade is largely clear of mooring with the exception of the Passenger Trip Boats. The Moorings Plan identifies the area around the Riverside Café as potentially suitable for a limited length of mooring, which like Town End Wharf could accommodate a mix of mooring types.
The Council does not have funding for either mooring proposal at the present time and progression will be subject to securing funding. The mix of mooring types suggested includes residential and leisure, which generate a rent that could be used to pay for their upkeep and help fund riverside management. The identified locations for mooring pontoons have been selected to fit into the existing fabric and use of the river as much as possible.
Artist's impressions of the proposed moorings can be found in Related Documents.
Opening of a short section of Queen’s Promenade for short-stay summer visitor mooring
To meet the demand for short-stay visiting mooring during the summer months a short section of Queen’s Promenade could be made available. The majority of the river along the Promenade would remain open to the water and free from moored boats.
We would welcome your views on this proposal.
Charging for visitor moorings
Research conducted by the Thames Landscape Strategy suggests that in order to deter itinerant and illegal usage of visitor moorings it may be appropriate to introduce a charge to boaters. Views are sought on whether a charging system for visitor moorings is likely to achieve this, and if so what pricing structure would be appropriate.
Responding to this consultation
The consultation period is open between Monday 27 February 2012 and Friday 23 March 2012.
If you, your residents group or your interest group would like a representative from the Thames Landscape Strategy to come and talk through the proposals please contact the Council on the number below. We would be more than happy to arrange these meetings with you.
We invite stakeholders to respond to the proposals providing views on the following aspects:
Short Stay Summer Visitor Moorings at Queen's Promenade
- What are your views on opening up a short section of Queen’s Promenade for short stay summer visiting mooring?
- •What sites would be suitable for this purpose?
- •What are the key considerations?
Longer Term Purpose Built Moorings
- Are the identified locations appropriate for replacement / new moorings?
- •Are the numbers and mix of leisure, visitor and residential moorings broadly acceptable?
- •What are the key considerations?
Visitor Moorings Chargings
- is it appropriate to introduce visitor moorings charges on Council owned moorings on Kingston’s riverside, and if so what pricing structure would be appropriate?
Enquiries
Any enquiries about any aspect of the process and requirements should be made to:
Partnerships & Implementation (Strategic Planning)
Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames
Guildhall 2
Kingston upon Thames
KT1 1EU
Phone:020 8547 5002
Email:moorings.plan@rbk.kingston.gov.uk
Phone: 020 8547 5002