Unwelcome in Reading.

Deserted moorings in the Town Centre.

Most towns embrace the canal or river nowadays. Not so here, it seems. Boaters appear to be rather unwelcome in Reading.

This is the “Prison Loop”. In the old days, a busy commercial waterway. In fact, the town owes a lot to the River Kennet being navigable. It brought prosperity, not least in the form of Huntley and Palmers.

Until very recently, boaters could moor free of charge for a couple of days here. It was a useful stopping point on the way in from the Thames. Handy for the shops and stocking up before continuing.

However, Reading Council, in their infinite wisdom, have decided to levy a high charge for the privilege of mooring in this not particularly great location. £9.50 per 24 hours, and you can only stop for 24 hours. You can, if you so desire, return for two more 24 hour stays in any 14 day period, however!

The same applies to the Tesco moorings on the Thames. Even if you only want to pop in to do some quick shopping, it will cost you £9.50! Boaters have always felt unwelcome in Reading, with the lack of moorings, but now it has got a whole lot worse.

Strange, really. Other towns look at putting in moorings – turning them into features, with shops and restaurants, etc around them. Just look at Birmingham. Reading had the opportunity with the Oracle centre to bring the river and the town together. Boaters pass right through the centre, but can only look at the “No Mooring” signs along the way. What a missed opportunity! No wonder boaters feel unwelcome in Reading.

The rather heavy handed signage.

Photograph Details:

• Taken: 11 Sep 2017
• Camera: Olympus OM-D E-M10 MkIIA
• Lens: Olympus 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6
• Focal Length 31mm
• F/6.3
• 1/125 Sec
• ISO 200