Evicted boater given new deadline to leave Bradford on Avon canalside

The Canal & River Trust says Mr Ward, 62, is trespassing on its land and must remove his possessions and any rubbish by 5pm on Monday, June 12.

On April 19 and on May 11, the Trust acted to remove Mr Ward’s two workboats, The Celtic and the March Hare, from the canal near Bradford on Avon, making him homeless.

Since then, he has been camped in a tent by the side of the canal, with his few remaining possessions.

In a letter to Mr Ward, 62, delivered by hand, the Trust says he now has seven days to remove his remaining property from the towpath by 5pm on June 12 at the latest.

The letter sent by the Canal & River Trust to George Ward. Photo: George Ward (Image: George Ward)

The letter states: “Contrary to anything you may understand, believe or have been doing to date, you are not entitled to camp on, or illegally possess, Trust property.

“For the avoidance of any doubt, any licence, permission or consent you believe you may have been granted by anyone at the Trust, whether implied or otherwise, is now formally withdrawn.

“Accordingly, you are required to leave the Trust land and remove your encampment, all of your belongings and any rubbish as soon as possible, and in any event within the next seven days, namely by 5pm on 12th June 2023.

“Should the area not be vacated by that date, then the Trust will take further steps to clear the land, by securing possession proceedings forthwith, together with an injunction preventing you from returning to our property and an order for costs.”

The letter then urges him to seek help from agencies that provide help to the homeless, including Shelter.

Mr Ward has previously accused the Trust of acting unlawfully to remove his boats and to "permanently deprive" him of his property and personal possessions.

He added: "The trust are once again asked to return my property within seven days."

A spokesperson for the Trust, which manages and controls 2,000 miles of canals and inland waterways, said: “Following the removal of the boat from the water, the Trust is the bailee of the boat.

“The Trust will accordingly serve a notice pursuant to the Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977 if it proposes to sell the boat; the Trust is also permitted to dispose of a boat under its legislation.”