Downings Roads Moorings is a mooring for barges on the River Thames near Tower Bridge that is home to a small community of houseboat dwellers in Central London. In 2003 and 2004, they were threatened with eviction by Southwark Council. The members of the community appealed.[1] The then Mayor of London Ken Livingstone commented in a letter to Southwark Council that "The principle of retaining the moorings is supported by the London Plan policy 4C.19 and supporting text contained in paragraphs 4.117 and 4.118. The mix of uses proposed for these moorings should be seen as broadly acceptable in the context of a multi functional Blue Ribbon Network as long as there are appropriate amenity and environmental safeguards in place.".[2] Their eviction was quashed in late 2004.[3]
![](http://up.wiki.x.io/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e9/Downings_Roads_Moorings_total_2_by_Michael_Frey_12._Juli_2014.jpg/220px-Downings_Roads_Moorings_total_2_by_Michael_Frey_12._Juli_2014.jpg)
As of 2013[update], the walkways between the moorings have been turned into a water-borne urban garden, known as the Floating Barge Gardens or Garden Barge Square.[4][5][6][7]
References
edit- ^ "Boat evictions inquiry adjourned". BBC News. 2 March 2004. Retrieved 15 April 2013.
- ^ "Downings Roads Moorings, Bermondsey". Policy and Partnerships Directorate, City Hall. March 2004. Archived from the original on 19 August 2012. Retrieved 15 April 2013.
- ^ "Saved: Downings Roads moorings". London SE1. 14 September 2004. Retrieved 15 April 2013.
- ^ Elaine Hughes. "The Downings Road Floating Barge Gardens". Retrieved 15 April 2013.
- ^ "Garden Barge Square". London Parks and Gardens Trust. Retrieved 15 April 2013.
- ^ Andy Sturgeon (13 September 2008). "Anatomy of a garden: Barge gardens, Downings Road moorings, London SE1". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 April 2013.
- ^ "Garden Barge Square at Downings Roads Moorings". National Gardens Scheme. Retrieved 15 April 2013.
External links
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