Colchester City Council is taking decisive steps to secure the future of King Edward Quay as a safe, attractive and environmentally sustainable part of the city. This work forms a key part of the council’s wider estates strategy to ensure community assets are well-managed, financially sustainable and future proofed.
King Edward Quay is a much-loved part of Colchester’s waterfront, and the council recognises its importance to residents, visitors, and the boating community. Recent improvements, including a dedicated day of action that cleared five tonnes of waste, and the recent removal of three abandoned vessels, mark the start of a wider programme to enhance the area’s appeal. These actions not only improve safety and appearance but also reduce costs that would otherwise fall to taxpayers – funds that could be spent on vital services.
Current mooring fees at King Edward Quay are significantly below market rates, averaging £55 per metre compared to an average of £370 elsewhere, which means income does not cover essential upkeep or improvements. To address this, the council is introducing licence fee changes, phased over three years for current licence holders. Fees will move to around £250 per metre, remaining 25–30% below market norms, ensuring fairness and affordability while funding essential improvements requested by boat owners, tackling anti-social behaviour, and maintaining the Quay as a welcoming space for everyone.
To protect the Quay and its users, the council is also ensuring compliance with existing licence conditions, such as insurance, seaworthiness, and safety certification, are met. No new conditions have been added; the focus is on ensuring adherence to standards that safeguard the community and prevent costly issues like abandoned or sunken boats.
The council is committed to listening to feedback from the boating community and making these changes in a fair and supportive way. To ease the transition, the council has recently agreed to a three-month extension, with new licence arrangements now starting on March 26th instead of January 26th.
This pause gives boat owners time to get vessels and paperwork in order and helps the council build stronger links with the community. During this period, the council will share updated guidance on licence requirements and expected standards and invite boat owners to join a liaison group for open dialogue and collaboration.
Councillor Martin Goss, Portfolio Holder for Waste, Neighbourhoods and Leisure, said: “We fully appreciate how much King Edward Quay means to the boating community and the wider public. Our aim is to protect and enhance this special part of Colchester so that everyone can enjoy it for years to come. These changes are about securing the Quay’s future and making practical improvements that reflect what people have told us they want.”
Councillor Mark Cory, Portfolio Holder for Resources and Assets, added:
“We understand that any changes can feel challenging, and we want to reassure boat owners that we’re introducing them gradually and fairly. King Edward Quay has huge potential, and by working together we can make sure it remains a safe, vibrant, and sustainable space for the whole community. Our commitment is to manage these changes responsibly and with the long-term interests of the Quay at heart.”
The council remains committed to working closely with boat owners and stakeholders to ensure King Edward Quay evolves into a vibrant, sustainable waterfront for generations to come.