Cambridge residents living on the city’s iconic river have shared their thoughts after fears that its health is at “serious risk”.
Richard Whittaker said “everyone’s aware” that rivers across the country are in a “terrible condition at the moment”.
Earlier this year, water tested at the designated bathing site at Sheep’s Green found the water to be among the poorest quality in England. The Environment Agency has advised people not to swim there.
The 60-year-old has lived on the River Cam for the last six years and said it’s in “quite a bad state” with weeds so thick that boats are getting stuck.
He said: “A huge section of this concrete siding has just fallen into the river and they’ve put a metal platform over it by the water point – it’s all very old infrastructure.”
The public has been warned to stay away from the riverbank near Jesus Green Lock where a section is collapsing into the river. The lock itself has been shut since summer 2024.
Jesus Green Lock and Baits Bite Lock were both closed after being found unsafe. Until the latter reopened in October 2025, houseboats were trapped in the stretch of river between them.
A houseboat outside Jesus Green Lido, abandoned since its owner died in 2023, was among those stuck. Pieces of wood and even windows have been falling off into the river.
Cambridge City Council said at the time they couldn’t remove it due to Baits Bite Lock being closed. The houseboat is still there at the time of writing – months after the lock reopened.
Richard said he’s reported it – as have many others – and even offered to take it down himself, but feels the council doesn’t listen to houseboat owners.
He said: “Generally they don’t really like to deal with us.
“There’s a stigma about the people living on boats – like they are a bunch of pirates or something.
“People just think just because it’s an alternative way to live, they immediately think everyone’s crazy who’s living on the boats – but it’s actually a mixture of people, just like anywhere else.
“To leave an eyesore like that in the middle of central Cambridge, in the you know, in the parks, beautiful parks, and everyone’s walking along here, and it just sits there.”
Neil Waters said that he thinks the conservators, who have taken care of the river since the 1700s, do the best they can with little in the way of resources.
The 52-year-old said: “I mean – I’m quite happy with life. We don’t pay too much and it’s quiet – I think the conservators are up against it, they don’t have a lot of staff or a lot of money.”
The mooring fee is paid to Cambridge City Council and allows houseboat owners to use the river which has facilities to empty wastewater and stock up on fresh water.
Neil said: “We don’t pay a huge mooring fee but we don’t get a lot for it. There’s one service point and that’s about it – it would be nice if there was another service point near Midsummer Common so they don’t have to come all the way out here.”
Eduardo Soto is new to houseboat life, having moved to his boat only about six months ago, and says he’s thrilled to live so close to the city.
The 32-year-old said: “I used to live in Essex, then we moved here.
“It’s very nice having space nearby the town – it’s an amazing place, city and a great experience being in a boat.
“I love the rowers in the morning and in the evening – it’s quite nice seeing them passing by.
“The lock over there is broken at the minute but obviously I don’t have a lot of experience – I’m sure there’s people who have been here longer than me and can see other kinds of hiccups and issues.”
A spokesperson for the Conservators of the River Cam said: “We appreciate the concerns that have been raised and want to reassure river users that the issue of the houseboat has not been overlooked.
“While responsibility for the mooring of the houseboat rests with Cambridge City Council, we continue to work with the Council to support efforts to resolve the situation as soon as possible.
“We also recognise the frustration felt by some boat owners while both Jesus Lock and Baits Bite Lock were closed, which restricted movement along parts of the river.
“The reopening of Baits Bite Lock in December 2025 has now restored access to the wider navigation. Mooring fees are charged by the City Council and not the Conservancy.”
A spokesperson for Cambridge City Council said: “The owner of the barge sadly passed away in 2023 so since then the council has been working to support the deceased’s family to manage this situation on their behalf.
“While Baits Bite Lock remained closed it would not have been possible to consider moving the barge.
“The removal is a complex process that must be carefully managed to ensure public safety, with expert support required.
“As the lock has now reopened, we are seeking quotations from specialist contractors to undertake the works.
“We are also applying to the Conservators of the River Cam for the necessary consent which is needed before a contractor can be appointed to move the barge from the mooring and arrange for its safe disposal.
“The Conservators of the River Cam are also the navigation authority, responsible for matters such as navigation, lock operations, dredging, and general maintenance of the river channel.”
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