Council officials say they are happy with new mooring management arrangements along Ely riverside which came into force last September.

Ely Standard: ely riverside,ely riverside, (Image: Archant)

All vessels using East Cambs Council moorings between Annesdale and Willow Walk have been obliged to pay a mooring charge if they stay longer than 48 hours – or return within that period.

Daily checks ensure the rules are applied, say Lewis Bage, project and engagement officer, and since it began 22 charge notices have been issued to six different boats.

He told a council committee that since the launch there have been four appeals against the penalties, of which three were accepted as medical evidence was provided and one appeal was dismissed.

Three cases of non payment are with the council’s legal department.

Mr Page says a recent survey showed four out of five were happy with the visitor mooring provision and 84 per cent were happy with the way it is being enforced.

Only one person told the council they were unhappy with the scheme since they said the riverside now appeared quieter in winter.

The council is now looking at the potential to improve signage and new ways to link the riverside with other tourism destinations in the city.

Mr Page says “recent improvement works such as solar lighting and the widening of Lavenders Green path have proved popular”.

Next January the council will consider a draft riverside improvement plan.