EASTLEIGH MP BACKS BOATERS ON DREDGING CONCERNS (Eastleigh Liberal Democrats)

Eastleigh Liberal Democrats <enquiries@eastleighlibdems.org.uk>

EASTLEIGH MP BACKS BOATERS ON DREDGING CONCERNS

November 23, 2009 12:35 PM

Chris with group on the boat at Hamble Marina Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne visited the Hamble marina to hear concerns from boaters and marina operators that new laws could stop them clearing navigable channels in the popular leisure waterway.

Mr Huhne said that dredging was essential to preserve the 3,261 swinging or marina moorings in the Hamble river, along with all the boating activities that go with maintaining and servicing the pursuit.

The concern was expressed by British Marine Federation president Mr Jon Eads, who runs the Hamble marina and other popular marinas across the country. Pictured here with Mr Huhne and Brian Clark also of the BMF, they gave Mr Huhne a tour of the key spots on the river.

Mr Eads said that moorings need to provide adequate depth to allow boats in and out, and dredging every three or four years was essential on the Hamble to dig out the natural silting up of the waterway.

The worry of the BMF is that the new Marine and Coastal Access Act might catch such essential dredging in new restrictions to stop bad practices such as scraping the bottom for shell-fish, which has done great damage in areas like Lyme Bay.

"These are legitimate concerns from an important local employer, and I will do my best to ensure that officials provide for a proper dredging exemption for properly planned marinas when the technical regulations are drafted" said Mr Huhne.

"Leisure boating is a key part of the local economy, providing employment for hundreds of people, and pleasure for many thousands of others" he said.