BOATERS in Oxford are celebrating after council bosses backed down from introducing controversial new rules on the city’s waterways.

It follows a public consultation on the draft public spaces protection order (PSPO), which was billed as part of efforts to crack down on illegal mooring.

Labour-run Oxford City Council wanted to enforce it on the River Thames, the Cherwell and Oxford Canal, banning people from mooring boats at riverbanks without the landowner’s permission, obstructing paths and putting up structures.

But boaters argued proposed restrictions on smoke emissions and noise would also criminalise ‘normal and necessary’ activities, such as running engines, generators and stoves.

Breaching the PSPO could have landed people with £100 on-the-spot fines or prosecutions ending in £1,000 fines.

In the face of strong public opposition, the council announced it had dropped the plans on Thursday night.

Green Party city councillor David Thomas, who campaigned with others against the proposals, said the move had ‘vindicated’ opponents of the PSPO.

He added: “This is a fantastic result for campaigners in Oxford but we must also recognise the council has listened to people’s concerns.

“It has also opened up a dialogue. The boating community risks being marginalised because of misunderstandings and this will hopefully mean they now have a voice.

“What we need to ensure now is there are enough permanent mooring spaces.”

Liberal Democrat councillor Liz Wade said: “We are very pleased that the boaters’ powerful representations have been taken on board, but there is still work to do.”

The city council’s decision to drop the waterways PSPO comes after almost a year of opposition to the measure.

It is not the first such order to spark controversy. The council was previously accused of ‘criminalising’ homeless people by civil rights group Liberty for one placed on the city centre.

Dee Sinclair, the local authority’s community safety boss, said: “We knew anti-social behaviour was taking place across Oxford’s waterways, but before the engagement did not have detailed knowledge of the best way to tackle it. It has been hugely valuable to have conversations with stakeholders, particularly from the boating community, to get their views and experiences.

“We have listened and have made changes to our proposals to reflect them.”