Houseboaters being ‘socially cleansed’ from Olympics area
River Lea residents fear licence could rise from £600 to £7,000, but British Waterways says increase only option. Houseboat residents near the Olympic development site in east London are accusing British Waterways of an attempt at “social cleansing”. They say proposed changes to rules for living on the canals before the 2012 Games could force hundreds of people from their water-based homes.