Abandoned boats in River Torridge should be treated like fly-tipping, councillor says.
By Alex Haynes
Published 6th May 2026, 15:00 BST
Concerns have been raised over pollution, derelict vessels and uncertainty around responsibility in the estuary
Abandoned boats in the River Torridge should be treated in the same way as fly-tipping, a local councillor has said, amid growing concern over pollution and derelict vessels in the estuary.
The issue was recently highlighted by councillor Kenneth Hind of Bideford Town Council on social media, where pictures of deteriorating boats along the river prompted calls for action.
In response to enquiries from the Gazette, Torridge District Council said it was aware of the issue and was working with organisations including the Crown Estate, the Environment Agency and the Taw and Torridge Estuary Forum to explore possible solutions.
However, the authority stressed that responsibility for abandoned vessels does not formally sit with the council.
A spokesperson said a district council’s remit ends at the “Mean High-Water Mark” and, in the absence of a dedicated harbour authority, responsibility falls to national bodies and ultimately the Crown.
The council added that the Taw and Torridge estuary had been selected by the Crown Estate as a pilot project for the removal of wrecked and abandoned vessels, although the process could take a long time due to funding, ownership checks and legal requirements.
Mr Hind said stronger local action was needed. He said: “Dumping of abandoned boats in our rivers should be treated like fly-tipping.
“The serious aspect is that escape of oils and other fluids from boats large and small pollutes our rivers and harms wildlife, rowers, swimmers, sailors and leisure boaters.
“Most leisure boats today are made of fibreglass which does not bio-degrade and old boats have to be cut up and disposed of at the owner’s cost. Without action this problem will only get worse.”
Mr Hind argued that Torridge District Council should take greater responsibility because it leases much of the foreshore along the south side of the river from the Crown Estate.
He also called for the creation of a “Trust Port”, a non-profit statutory body run by local river and marine users, which he believes could help regulate pollution, support maritime trade and oversee the removal of abandoned vessels.
Mr Hind added that concerns had increased ahead of planned local government reorganisation in 2028, with fears future changes could lead to increased mooring charges and tighter regulation without improvements to facilities or support for river users.
The Torridge and Taw are the only unregulated rivers in the UK, and creating a Trust Port will help protect this stretch of the Torridge and reverse the decline of the Port of Bideford.
Front page of the North Devon Journal, 8 January 2026..
