Overview
It is estimated that there are around 140 boaters living on Oxford’s canals, with 70% of them being visiting boaters. However, there are limited locations where electrical power is available for boaters – especially for short-stay moorings.
Without direct access to electricity, boaters are often forced to run diesel engines to charge up their batteries and/or to burn wood or coal to heat their houseboats, both of which have been proven to be harmful to human health.
Working with the Canal & River Trust, we have installed 'eco-moorings’ to provide boaters with a clean energy alternative and reduce their reliance on diesel engines, generators and wood burners for their day-to-day energy needs.
The project saw the installation of three ‘eco-moorings’, consisting of three electric pillars, each containing two sockets which will enable up to six visiting boaters to plug into and connect to the grid.
Five of the sockets are 16-amp, while one socket is 32-amp to allow for the trialling of electric propulsion boats (e-boats). All sockets have the capability to easily upgrade to 32-amp based on future demand.
This project aimed to:
- Reduce the levels of exposure of boaters, local residents, regular commuters and visitors to harmful pollutants
- Fight existing air quality inequalities in the waterways as boaters suffer from over exposure to levels of particulate pollution
- Contribute to an overall reduction of particulate pollution in the local area and also more broadly across the city
- Raise awareness on the negative health impacts of the burning of solid fuels such as coal and wood
- Support the decarbonisation of our waterways
- Engage directly with the local boating community to understand barriers to uptake of alternative sources of energy
Location
Open the Aristotle Lane visitor moorings location in Google Maps
Project timeline
- March 2023: Oxford City Council awarded £192,993 funding through DEFRA’s Air Quality Grant in partnership with the Canal and River Trust.
- October 2023 –December 2024: Design and permissions for eco-moorings project
- 5 January 2024: Start of installation​ work
- May 2025: Installation completed
Particulate Pollution in Oxford
Wood burners emit particulate matter, also known as PM2.5. These are very tiny particulates (smaller than 2.5 micrometres), that can have a serious impact on human health.
Long term exposure to PM2.5 is especially harmful to children, the elderly, and those with illnesses or conditions such as asthma and emphysema. A wide range of scientific studies have been published in recent years showing the negative impacts to human health of long term exposure to particulate pollution.
In 2022, Oxford City Council launched its ‘Do You Fuel Good?’ campaign in partnership with the Canal and River Trust, which aims to tackle the health and environmental harms of using wood burning stoves, and best practice for those unable to use alternatives – such as boaters.
The eco-moorings project also includes public engagement that will link this project to our wider air quality engagement campaigns, while also providing practical support for boaters to transition away from wood burning stoves.
Next steps
The Council will continue to engage with the boating community and raise awareness of the negative health impacts of exposure to solid fuel burning emissions while offering practical support on switching to cleaner fuels.
Have your say
If you would like any information on this project, please email AirQuality@oxford.gov.uk
