In London, people are increasingly moving onto boats

London - Due to high housing prices in London, more and more residents of the British capital are moving onto cargo boats. However, this trend is worrying residents along the riverbanks and is causing congestion in river traffic, reports the AFP agency.
    From 2007 to 2014, the number of these floating homes increased by 36%. According to the Canal and River Trust (CRT), which manages 3,200 kilometers of waterways in the country, there were already 2,964 of them last March, meaning their number has increased by about a thousand over seven years.
    Such housing allows one to wake up in the morning among flocks of ducks, in a canal surrounded by large trees. These long vessels are often painted in vibrant colors that some can only dream of.
    And above all, the price of these vessels represents only a fraction of the amount needed for a London flat, although one must account for subsequent maintenance costs. In London, the price of an average flat is around half a million pounds (almost 19 million CZK). This is five times more than the cost of the most expensive boat.
    "More and more people are coming onto boats because they have no choice," explains 39-year-old teacher Jim Bryden, who spent two years aboard Violer Mae with his girlfriend, dog, and cat. "I have met people who ended up on a boat because they had to move out within two weeks, and so they bought a boat for 10,000 pounds" (377,000 CZK), he says.
    Last year, traffic in the most popular navigable locations increased by 85%, says CRT. New boat residents encounter various challenges: how to tie a nautical knot, how to fix an engine, but also dealing with how cold it can be on the water in boats often heated only by stoves.
    The sharp rise in the number of boats is reflected in the congestion of river routes and also gives rise to conflicts with local residents who are surrounded by new neighbors. Jim Bryden is part of a team of volunteers attempting to mitigate negative impacts, such as noise and smoke from these vessels, along a stretch of the Regent's Canal.
    "We monitor what is happening here and try to educate boat residents about the regulations, such as how late they can use their generator," he explains.
    CRT has problems ensuring that these vessels comply with operational rules, as most of them do not have a permanent mooring. This is highly sought after, and its price is roughly equivalent to the rent for a flat.
    Many boat owners use permits known as "continuous cruising," which require them to move every 14 days. However, this is not always easy for those with school-age children or for those who require special medical care. It is also not easy to give up such comforts as toilets, drinking water, and electricity.
    In March, CRT threatened to stop issuing this permit and even to demand the removal of those vessels whose owners do not comply with the rules. This provoked considerable outrage.
    More than 19,000 people signed a petition against being evicted from boats. They accused CRT of wanting to push families out onto the streets. "Whether we like it or not, the social and political situation has made waterways a viable housing option," says the petition.
    CRT spokesperson Joe Coggins emphasized that boat users must respect the rules and secure a permanent mooring, or accept that this lifestyle is not for them. "Boats are a fantastic place, but we cannot view them solely as a means of cheap housing," he said.