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Marina sparks lots of interest
THERE will be a marina in Bridlington – but not just yet.
National publicity about agreement on the shape and 320-berth capacity of a marina has led to people “jumping the gun” and assuming it is now full steam ahead to it being a reality in the next year or so, say Harbour Commissioners.
Harbourmaster Chris Wright, said: “I have had people wanting to know if they can book berths, a company from Southampton offering to supply mooring pontoons, even a company wanting to sell us marina operating computer software. It will be a long time before we are at that stage.”
The commissioners, development agency Yorkshire Forward and East Riding of Yorkshire Council announced they were all in agreement, for the first time in the marina plan’s stormy history, over a consultants’ report on potential demand which set out a shape and capacity all sides approved in principle.
Commissioners chairman George Traves said: “That was an important first step toward achieving a marina in Bridlington.
“It will take at least two to three years for a business plan to be agreed – covering operational costs, income, and construction engineering – but people think it is already a done deal.
“We hope it will be but it will not be in the near future.
“We are looking forward to approving a definitive layout which will be technically achievable, then a business plan to show the whole scheme is financially viable.”
John Lister, head of Bridlington Regeneration, said he too had received inquiries.
“We have had three from people wanting berths and two from people interested in setting up a business on the harbour which I believe is encouraging and suggests we have probably got it about right.”
Mr Lister hopes the business plan can be achieved in less time than two years but he said operational decisions, planning and obtaining the necessary orders had to be dealt with and that it was highly unlikely any work could begin on the site until at least 2010.
The consultants’ report, approved last week by the council’s cabinet, suggests the existing harbour should have lock access for 215 moorings on pontoons with a further 105 in a new area beyond the south pier which will also have new fishing fleet facilities.
The report was commissioned to prove there was still a need for the development as part of the town’s regeneration.
It suggests it would put around 900,000 a year into Bridlington’s economy, create around 30 full-time jobs and would be likely to attract vessels from Scarborough, Whitby and Hull and as far away as North Wales.
It said it could also be promoted as the “first port of call” for people travelling across the North Sea from Holland and Germany.
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Weather for Bridlington
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 9 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: East
