London’s inland waterways are home to a vibrant boating community, and many other Londoners make use of the network of canals for travel and recreation.
Many canal boaters are dedicated to living in a way that reduces environmental and ecological impacts. However, the use of diesel for propulsion and for generating electrical power and the use of wood or coal for onboard heating produces air pollution which is a risk for public health. The pollution produced by boats is a relatively small component of the total air pollution in the air in Camden, but it's still a health hazard for canal boaters and people living, working and going to school next to the canals.
Camden Electric Moorings
Camden Council is committed to improving air quality throughout the borough for the benefit of everyone who lives, works, and learns in Camden, and this includes improving air quality and protecting the health of boating communities living on the Regent’s Canal.
To help improve air quality we have installed a series of electrical power bollards at the popular mooring area between Camley Street and St. Pancras Way.
The ‘Camden Electric Moorings’ was completed in early 2022 and helps to reduce air pollution and protect public health in the vicinity of the canal for boaters, residents and local school pupils. The project was made possible with a £65,500 grant from the Mayor of London’s Good Growth Fund and was managed by Camden Council in partnership with the Canal & River Trust.
The Camden Electric Moorings provides metered electrical connections for up to sixteen boats in Camden at the popular visitor mooring area between Camley Street and St. Pancras Way (just upstream of Somers Town Bridge). The installation of the electric moorings enables boaters to use clean mains power rather than relying on polluting diesel engines or generators whilst moored. As well as reducing air pollution the electric moorings are also helping to reduce carbon emissions.
These mooring places do not require booking or mooring fee payment, and canal boats that are unable to be connected to mains power can still be moored at the Camden Electric Moorings area.
Download our guide on improving air quality on Camden's waterways: Healthy Waterways for All.
Healthy Waterways London
Camden Council is supporting the ‘Healthy Waterways London’ project; a partnership of boroughs and organisations working together with canal boaters to build awareness about air quality and health and exploring opportunities for supporting London’s canal boating community to reduce air pollution from diesel and solid fuel use.
The project involves a canal boater survey, a communications and awareness campaign, and a Healthy Waterways strategy.
For more information visit the Healthy Waterways London website.
Email [email protected], to find out more about the Camden Electric Moorings or Healthy Waterways London.