Whilst I agree with Mark Riches view and the freedom to moor where you want,
and I have fond memories of similar situations on the Oxford, Rochdale,
Trent & Mersey and Worcester & Birmingham in the past, there is the
requirement these days to care for a more broader boating population. There
are those particularly disabled people, who cannot use a plank to get off or
onto a boat. Hence the need for more substantially made mooring points.

Best regards

Ray Shill