This campaign is to raise funds to prevent the eviction of 14 people and their narrowboats from Tonbridge.

Plans have been made to build a series of multi-storey houses along the bank of the River Medway overlooking Tonbridge park. The boatyard is the home to fourteen narrow boat owners, many of whom live aboard. They are being evicted from the mooring by the Hampshire-based landowner in a court case hearing on the 13th March, 2017. Currently they do not have legal representation.

The boatyard is much loved by the people of Tonbridge and over 2,000 people have signed a petition to stop the development. There has been a boatyard and boat hire business on Barden Road since at least 1930 and it still has a slipway that is still used for boat repairs and maintenance, a useful resource for river users in the upper Medway.

Narrowboats have been moored here for decades and the boat owners live in a peaceful community which provides low-cost housing and they look after the gardens, sheds and brightly painted boats that give this area such a distinctive character. The largest boat was built in Tonbridge.

The boats are ideal low impact living spaces for a stretch of river that can flood dramatically in winter. They are a community asset enjoyed by dog walkers, children, local residents and visitors who take boat trips and hire rowing boats to visit this interesting stretch of river.

Practically there are no other boatyards in Tonbridge and residential moorings are almost impossible to find. The residents will be made homeless. Tonbridge will lose the historic boatyard, its picturesque narrow boats and the low-income and environmentally friendly and flexible housing that they provide.
This fund will contribute to the legal costs of the people living on the houseboats who are being evicted, along with the boats, in the forthcoming legal proceedings. Any remaining funds will be donated to the Tonbridge Calling community festival. See updates below for more info.