Hundreds of boaters join London protest against ‘cull’ of waterway life

London houseboat dwellers protest against new ‘safety zone’ rules and the introduction of some chargeable mooring spaces. Photograph: Teri Pengilley/The Guardian

Hundreds of boaters converged in west London’s Little Venice area on Saturday to protest about what they say is a “cull” of a traditional way of life along the capital’s waterways.

The boat dwellers staged a demonstration about new moves by the Canal & River Trust (CRT), a charity which manages the waterways in England and Wales, to restrict mooring spaces in some parts of the capital and to issue enforcement notices against some who officials say are mooring their boats in the wrong areas. The CRT began issuing enforcement notices in January of this year.