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Downings Roads Ancient Moorings are one of the largest and oldest surviving groups of moorings in London.

The moorings are threatened with destruction.

"Few such settlements could boast all-party political endorsements..." The Guardian, 27/05/04

"I have made it clear that moorings are acceptable in principle at Downings Roads. I am still hopeful that the applicants can work constructively with the council to work out a scheme wich overcomes the councils concerns and achieves a vibrant community", Ken Livingstone.

The Downings Roads Ancient Moorings, situated in central London on the River Thames, downstream from Tower Bridge and in continual use for more than 150 years, have been threatened with closure by Southwark Council and the Port of London Authority.

The Downings Roads Ancient Moorings are one of London's oldest remaining river moorings. They now form a prime example of river based urban regeneration in the London Borough of Southwark. Over the past 20 years the moorings have evolved into a vibrant community of over 30 historic boats providing affordable homes and studios for more than 70 adults and children around an infrastructure of award winning floating gardens and walkways.

The community at Downings Roads reflects a wide variety of skills and expertise including architects, musicians, artists, solicitors and key workers. In addition, several boat dwellers have established their own businesses in Southwark. Over the years the community has developed strong and varied links in the borough particularly in the voluntary and educational sectors and children from the moorings attend a number of local schools and nurseries.

Thanks to its Ecological Initiatives, Downings Road is one of the top recycling communities in London - with 75% of all its waste diverted from landfill.

As the city's only floating gardens, and a recent recipient of a Best Community Gardens Award (1st Prize) from Southwark Council, the moorings provide a habitat for a broad range of flora and fauna. As well as improving the visual amenity of the area they are a vital link in the green corridor of the Thames foreshore and each year attract a growing number of enthusiastic visitors from all over London.

The moorings at Downings Roads form the largest single collection of historic trading vessels on the Thames including both sail and motor barges from all over Europe, some over 100 years old. Their presence demonstrates a continuation of Southwark's traditional links with the activities and life of the river.

Please help us save these historic river moorings for future generations and resist the creeping sanitisation of our great river

Use the menu on the left to find out more about the moorings, how they are under threat and how you can help us save them.

Copyright 2003 Downings Roads Residents Association. Please make sure you read our disclaimer and legal sections here