Boat dwellers at Bristol Harbour are warning of potential homelessness and financial ruin due to a proposed seven per cent increase in fees, as voiced during a city council meeting. The council argues that the fee hike, which includes inflation plus an additional five per cent starting from April, is necessary for services such as mooring, ferry operations, tug and barge use, and bridge lifting, aiming to make the docks self-sustainable and fund essential improvements. Bristol Live readers have been discussing the issue in our comments section.
This comes on the heels of a significant fee surge just under two years ago, where some charges more than doubled, notably with annual tug licences skyrocketing by 790 per cent from £280.85 to £2,500. Boaters expressed their frustration over the new planned increases at a harbour committee meeting, highlighting unfulfilled promises of facility enhancements and a growing mistrust towards the council.
Councillor Patrick McAllister (Green, Hotwells & Harbourside) relayed concerns from a month-long stakeholder engagement, indicating that boaters are struggling with the high costs and fear the harbour could become deserted. He stated: “We are hearing from the harbour community how difficult their situation is and I’m very concerned the council is inadvertently doing quite severe damage to the long-term viability of the harbour.”
However, Patsy Mellor, Bristol City Council’s Director of Management of Place, has stated that ring-fencing the harbour would ensure all income is reinvested back into it. She highlighted that between £20million to £40million of improvements and maintenance are required over the next five to ten years.
She said: “The absolute fact is it’s not maintained, it’s falling down, and the reason it’s falling down is because there have been leases, rents, moorings, fees, that have gone way below commercial rents and that is why the harbour was being supported by the tune of £1.6million by Bristol council tax payers up until last year. The harbour has to be sustainable. The fee increases still need to be approved by the strategy and resources policy committee.”
Bristollivefanaccount thinks: “If you are treating it as a home you should pay the same council tax as the properties in the area, then the additional services for being a boat and using the water should be on top. Why are they still allowed to avoid their fair share of taxes?”
Thecookedsock agrees: “Could just charge them the going rate in Council Tax I suppose. Keep everything fair and on the level.”
Kw93 replies: “Liveaboards do, but we also pay licenses, navigation licenses, the cost of water and amenities is part of the rent. We pay insurance and then electricity we pay by pre-paid meter. The amenities are sub standard though, very dirty, dated and very small showers. Some of the pontoons as well have very dodgy holes in the walk way. It’s also worth stating that not all of the boats are large, some have limited heating. We have to deal with drunks and vandals because not all moorings are secure. Just because the boat is in the city centre it doesn’t mean its quality living. It’s what you can afford. So yes it may cause homelessness. You wouldn’t choose to live in a confined space if you could afford not to. Rent and mortgages are through the roof at the moment.”
Itmustbetrue states: “The council should equally level taxes (through a licensing scheme) on the hundreds of van dwellers in Bristol who benefit from all the local services without currently making any contribution. (It should also factor in the cost of cleaning up their filth & detritus which they frequently leave behind when moving on).”
Berklicker replies: “Local services? You must mean the lack of public toilets, no provision for boat dwellings or van dwellings, no electricity, no waste services, you know…. Those. Either provide a service and charge for it or don’t bother! The port city that can’t run a simple harbour system anymore. I would be shocked if this wasn’t just normal in Bristol nowadays.”
Bristollivecommenter demands: “Cllr Andrew Brown said “cost of mooring was currently £3,559 a year compared with £23,840 for a Band A council tax property comprising £21,000 rent, £1,640 council tax and £1,200 utility bills”. How can he justify including the rent (the boater has to provide a boat) and utility bills?!”
Sophie Abeeyan agrees: “So not only do they have to buy their own boats, they need to pay rent-like prices too?!”
Cheekychap67 just thinks: “This country needs a decent housing policy.”
Emma Zaza says: “We are literally being drained of our money in every aspect! Bristol used to be a fab place to live with a buzzing atmosphere, now the current rental property amount is absurd, this needs to be dealt with! Bristol has become unaffordable.”
Colin Nurse suggests: “I think It’s nonsense, they want ‘em out for development.”
Luke O’Toole says finally: “No money has been invested in the dock for years. This doesn’t mean they should be putting the mooring fees up, but instead they should take advantage of what Bristol has to offer, (water ways) and make Bristol one of the best boating / water side cities in the country. Personally I’d start with an energy generating lock in Pill. Making the river Avon from Pill one level not tidal, all the mud would settle. Could be amazing,”
How do you feel about the price hikes? Will these increases mean the end for the harbour? Have your say in our comments section.