Petrol stop in Reading: Where to moor?

[Shreck]

I am well aware of the situation in Reading regarding the charges for mooring, also I am aware of why these charges are applied and I am also aware of who has caused these charges to be levied, need I say more?

 

Due to an injury I did not "do" the Thames last year and things appear to have changed. Usually on my annual trip on the Thames I stop off in Reading to tank up with petrol, do a bit of shopping and then push off and find a quiet mooring elsware. It appears that now I will have to pay some astronomical fee just to stop for the hour I need to do this.

 

Is it possible to stop on the towpath adjacent the riverside pub/hotel (Lord knows what they may be calling it now) so I can tank up at the filling station without some weasel slapping a charge on me? I obviously will only need petrol as obviously Reading really does not want me or my boat so I will not be spending any more money there, no problem, I will shop elsware.

 

I am aware of other filling stations near the Thames but lugging a three gallon tank any distance, especially since my damaged arm is still not 100% is really out of the question.

 

Regards.

 

Shreck.

 

 

[Martin Megson]

Several marinas on the Thames supply petrol so you might be able to avoid any walking.

[Tony Brooks]

I do not know where you usually stop but have they started charging on the Tesco moorings? Their filling station is at the front of the store.

 

Also I suspect that the yard at Moulsford sell petrol because they specialise in Freemans. Best ring ad check though. Sheridan marine 01491 652085

 

PS, if all else fails give me a ring and I will take you in the car. Go up the Kennet and moor in the Prison loop just above Blakes lock. Unless they have put more up this year there was one small sign that is easily missed so I would argue the point but if you are just stopping for an hour or so I doubt you will be bothered. 01189874285

Edited April 4, 2016 by Tony Brooks

[Steilsteven]

In spite of the signs, I'm not aware of anyone actually paying for stopping anywhere along the Thames at Reading.

 

I think the location you mention is by Caversham bridge, these moorings are owned by Salter's Steamers and I'm pretty sure they don't charge.

 

Keith

[Murflynn]

my new project boat is outboard powered. Like the OP I would like to know where I can buy petrol on or close to the rivers and canals.

 

There are several websites that purport to show all filling stations on a google map, but it appears that the content is very incomplete. Canal Junction doesn't help much either.

[grannykins]

my new project boat is outboard powered. Like the OP I would like to know where I can buy petrol on or close to the rivers and canals.

 

There are several websites that purport to show all filling stations on a google map, but it appears that the content is very incomplete. Canal Junction doesn't help much either.

 

There is an app you can install on your phone called whatgas. This will show you every petrol station wherever you happen to be. We found it very useful when we had our GRP. As we started to get close to where we wanted to moor for the night we would keep an eye on the petrol stations. You can zoom in and see which bridge is closest to the garage.

[MtB]

I'll make the same offer as Tony. I'm in and around Reading regularly so I can come and find you, grab your petrol can, go off in my van to fill it then bring it back to you when you've cruised a mile or two further...

 

But like Tony I'm surprised too, I didn't realise there was a swingeing charge to moor at Tesco. I'll go and check the signs later today.

[Shreck]

Firstly may I thank the other kind forumites who offered to help with car transport, that would be much appreciated.

 

On the subject of the mooring fees, I was under the impression from previous posts on this website that everywhere in Reading including the Tesco moorings are charged, even for short stays. Am I right in saying that Tesco have rejected ownership of the landing stage and it is now under the control of the Council?

 

Regards.

 

Shreck.

[Shreck]

In spite of the signs, I'm not aware of anyone actually paying for stopping anywhere along the Thames at Reading.

 

I think the location you mention is by Caversham bridge, these moorings are owned by Salter's Steamers and I'm pretty sure they don't charge.

 

Keith

 

Thanks. I did not realise that part of the towpath was owned by Salters. I have made brief fuelling stops there before and never been charged.

 

Shreck.

[Murflynn]

 

There is an app you can install on your phone called whatgas. This will show you every petrol station wherever you happen to be. We found it very useful when we had our GRP. As we started to get close to where we wanted to moor for the night we would keep an eye on the petrol stations. You can zoom in and see which bridge is closest to the garage.

I would prefer to plan my journey in advance, so I can stop off at pre-determined intervals. Walking half a mile to a petrol station carrying 5 gallons of petrol is not my idea of fun.

 

Having researched it I think the best solution is to check the location of marinas and boatyards, and give them a ring when planning the journey, to check if they actually sell petrol.

[Tony Brooks]

Firstly may I thank the other kind forumites who offered to help with car transport, that would be much appreciated.

 

On the subject of the mooring fees, I was under the impression from previous posts on this website that everywhere in Reading including the Tesco moorings are charged, even for short stays. Am I right in saying that Tesco have rejected ownership of the landing stage and it is now under the control of the Council?

 

Regards.

 

Shreck.

 

No idea about the Tesco moorings but it seems that the CM'rs on the Thames have been upsetting the powers that be. All the EA temporary mooring sites now have strict "free mooring" time limits with extra charges for the next 48 hours. Then its draconian charges levied by a car parking setup. No mooring signs are springing up in most places free mooring was allowed and all towns but Abingdon seem to have set very strict time limits. Reading Council have been having court battles with CM'ers. The moorings on the Abbey loop (Kennet) beside Homebase seem to be under the control of the site owners who do not (as of last summer) seem to have put any controls over moorings but it always seems full of boats.

 

Oxford is even worse with notices everywhere. The general feeling of being unwelcome such notices make ensured we did not go to Leachlade last year so no idea about above Oxford.

 

I can not think of any other likely sources of petrol apart from those I mentioned above. Reading Marine Services at Scours Lane had a No Petrol sign up last year. Maybe Thames & Kennet Marina may have it but I suspect not. Possibly ring Benson Cruiser Station to see if they supply it.

[nipper]

The moorings at the park in Reading are chargeable in theory, but, as the owner of the boat cafe told me last year, he incidentally moors just above the bridge on the other side and has done for years for nothing, are an illegal charge because they cannot issue you a receipt!

 

Also, there is nobody to collect these fees, or wasn't last year!

 

While I stayed there for two days, someone actually phoned up the number on the sign post and was kept waiting for 10 minutes while the office desperately tried to fined the book to enter his fee!

 

He then asked where he could collect his reciept and was told that they didnt issue any!

 

Needless to say, he didnt pay and stayed there his two days without anyone trying to grab money!

 

I will add that this only applies to the Reading moorings including Tesco's as others are run by agencies who have the right and will pursue you for fees as large as £200.

 

Having said that, don't be put off by these signs as there are loads of alternative moorings on the Thames, but be prepares to tie to a tree!

 

Nipper

[sueb]

A folding trolley may come in useful

[Murflynn]

A folding trolley may come in useful

that thought had also occurred to me.

[billS]

There is a BP garage about 50 yards from the Salters moorings at Caversham bridge.

[Tony Brooks]

 

There is a BP garage about 50 yards from the Salters moorings at Caversham bridge.

 

Where?

 

There is an Esso cum Tesco in Caversham to the North but I would put it at more than 150 yards but maybe no further than walking round the big Tescos to their filling station. Also those salter's moorings are usually full, especially now the steamers start again.

 

There is a Texaco (I think) maybe a bit closer to the Caversham moorings by Reading bridge if you walk north through the car park.

[billS]

It's right on the corner of Richfield Avenue - opposite the Crowne Plaza hotel.

 

There are also rings just on the west side of Caversham Bridge - just outside the Crowne Plaza.

[Hawkmoth]

Don't know if I'm too late but this may help.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/search/petrol+station/@51.4665399,-0.979588,16z

[Tony Brooks]

It's right on the corner of Richfield Avenue - opposite the Crowne Plaza hotel.

 

There are also rings just on the west side of Caversham Bridge - just outside the Crowne Plaza.

 

Yes, I just remembered about that one and came on to apologise to you. he won't find one nearer will he.

[Jim Batty]

I do not know where you usually stop but have they started charging on the Tesco moorings? Their filling station is at the front of the store.

 

... Go up the Kennet and moor in the Prison loop just above Blakes lock. Unless they have put more up this year there was one small sign that is easily missed ...

 

I walked past the Tesco moorings this morning and there was room for one 60-footer on the 'official' wooden public moorings and room for a couple more against the deep (safe) bank just below. (Yes, there are about ten boaters on the official moorings who live there, one or two who haven't untied their boats in nearly two years!)

 

You could even borrow a shopping trolley from Tesco to shift things if need be.

 

For about a week last year there was a small sign that indicated some kind of payment was required (call a number, give credit card details ... that sort of thing), attached to the fence opposite the bank moorings, but nowhere near the official wooden moorings. But that has long since disappeared and I have never heard of payment being enforced.

 

On the old Reading Gaol moorings, above Blakes lock, you can stay 24 hrs, I think, without return for 72 hrs. There was room for about five or six boats there last night. But I would have thought the Tesco petrol place was most convenient.

[Shreck]

Thanks for all the replies, the information is very useful. I found www.ukwaterwaysguide.co.uk and it appears from the website that there are no boatyards/marinas above Bourne End that sell petrol.

 

There used to be a boatyard just below Pinkhill Lock that sold petrol but I think that has been discontinued (I could be wrong in this matter) Personally I would not use them as I had an argument there a few years ago regarding their total lack of helpfulness and bloody minded attitude.

 

I will just have to suck it and see, try to moor up at Salters for a few minutes and use the filling station over the back of the Hotel/pub complex.

 

A handy place to stop for petrol is just above Benson Cruisers. You will need to tie up on private land and the owners can be quite stroppy regarding mooring. However you can follow a rough path to the road, turn left and walk about a hundred yards to the filling station. It is just adjacent the Golden Balls Roundabout. (sic)

[MtB]

 

I walked past the Tesco moorings this morning and there was room for one 60-footer on the 'official' wooden public moorings and room for a couple more against the deep (safe) bank just below. (Yes, there are about ten boaters on the official moorings who live there, one or two who haven't untied their boats in nearly two years!)

 

You could even borrow a shopping trolley from Tesco to shift things if need be.

 

For about a week last year there was a small sign that indicated some kind of payment was required (call a number, give credit card details ... that sort of thing), attached to the fence opposite the bank moorings, but nowhere near the official wooden moorings. But that has long since disappeared and I have never heard of payment being enforced.

 

 

 

I also took a walk along there at lunchtime and that space was still there, but I estimated it was about 50ft. And yes I recognised several boats there too which always seem to be hanging around Tesco/Kennetmouth.

 

I took a photo of the sign you mention. I attach it below for the team to examine:

 

 

 

I walked the whole length from Kennet mouth to Kings Meadow and there are no signs restricting or charging for mooring. (They've all been removed/defaced like this one.)