This update covers the following issues:
- Ministry of Transport investigations
- Harbour sale
- Harbour offices still not paid for
- Spring Dredging
- BHT funds
Ministry of Transport investigations
The DfT investigation appears to be actively, if slowly, progressing. In the latest letter we received they confirmed that they had received a written update from the ‘other party’ but were yet to arrange a meeting. An action they felt would be a sensible precursor to any action by the department.
They pointed out that is not common for DFT officials to meet directly with relatively small ports such as this one. We read this as an indication of the seriousness of their concerns.
We were invited to provide some further information and asked to accept their apologies for the slow pace of this work thus far. “As I hope you can appreciate, this is quite a complex case for the department, and I hope that you do not take this lack of speed to mean that the department has disengaged from the case.”
Harbour sale update
The directors first announced the harbour was for sale nearly two and a half years ago. There is no public update, as such, we assume that efforts to sell have been unsuccessful.
Harbour offices still not paid for
As of the 28thNovember it is unclear if any resolution has been reached and the offices paid for. We understand the Liquidators of the contractor company will report towards the end of May.
Spring Dredging
The Bembridge Harbour Advisory Group minutes state “Water-injection dredging by WM Dredging is scheduled at Bembridge Marina immediately after Easter weekend ie week beginning 13th April, taking approx. 3 weeks (WM undertaking works at Ryde Harbour beforehand). Dredged depth expected to be 2m.” There is some concern that this method of dredging will not see all the lifted silts leaving the harbour. Without a strong current to take the suspended particles away much of it is likely to settle inside the harbour.
BHT Funds
The work of the Trust remains as important as ever, as we finally make progress on financial redress. We thank you for your support to date, and ask for your continued financial support to keep going at this crucial time, in particular with professional advice to engage with the Department of Transport as required.
The Trustees
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