Calls to remove abandoned boats from river

There are calls for abandoned boats on the River Hull to be removed.

Walkers near Tickton in East Yorkshire have reported seeing stray canisters floating, rusty metal poles, batteries and oil leaks in the river.

One walker, Andrew White, said: "If something doesn't get done soon, it's only going to get worse."

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: "Removal of the boats is the responsibility of the boat owners."

Mr White said: "I just think people have bought boats over the years, got bored of them and then left them and then nobody's taken any notice or any ownership of the upkeep of the beck."

In 2017, East Riding of Yorkshire Council said boats left between Tickton and Beverley Beck restricted the river flow and must be removed, however many are still abandoned.

The Environment Agency said: "We would like to reassure local communities that we continue to monitor the situation in the River Hull for environmental impacts and increases to flood risk to local communities and there are no significant risks.

It said its remit did not extend to keeping rivers and canals clear of litter and said this was the responsibility of whoever owns the riverbank.

Mr White said: "If the beck was sorted out, it could only be good for the area by attracting tourists, and bringing more money to the area."

The Environment Agency encouraged walkers to report suspected pollution to its hotline 0800 80 70 60.

Iain Campbell, a trustee at the Beverley Barge Preservation Society, said there was no record of who owns the boats.

"There's no question that the flow on the river is affected by the fact the river is considerably narrowed and shallowed by the vessels that aren't in the right place," he said.

Mr Campbell runs boat trips on the rivers, and said customers often commented on the number of "abandoned or scruffy boats".

"There are some very nice boats on the river, but there are a significant number that are in very poor condition which are accidents waiting to happen," he said.

"That makes our lives of navigating the river more difficult."

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