Ports giant rows back on plans for small boat fees

Plans to charge a £100 annual fee to use small boats in the Firth of Clyde have been put on hold by the river's harbour authority.

Peel Ports Clydeport has said it is not currently going ahead with its proposed "leisure vehicle conservancy fee" for boats between 6m (20ft) and 24m (79ft) in length.

The ports giant, which has jurisdiction over 450 square miles of the river and nearby waters, had previously said the charge would help cover the cost of managing leisure activity and dealing with accidents.

But the proposal provoked a backlash from politicians and small boat owners who argued it would harm tourism and activities like recreational fishing and boating.

Conservancy fees are often charged by harbours to cover the cost of services and upkeep but are more commonly applied to larger commercial vessels and based on gross tonnage.

Some local boat owners branded it a "cash grab" when details of Peel Ports' proposals first emerged late last year.

A consultation document suggested levying a £100 + VAT annual fee for boats regularly sailing in the Clydeport area, a £75 fee for summer-only use and a daily charge for visiting craft.

The charging zone would have stretched from Albert Bridge in Glasgow as far as the island of Arran, and include sea lochs such as Loch Fyne and Gare Loch.

Inverclyde's SNP MSP Stuart McMillan, who chairs a cross-party group on recreational boating and marine tourism at Holyrood, started a petition against the plan and led a members debate at Holyrood calling for it to be abandoned.

He said Peel Ports Clydeport had now informed the group it was not proceeding with the fees, although it reserved the right to revisit the issue in future.

He told BBC Scotland News: "It was a shock when we heard of this but the cross party group and people across the Clyde area have campaigned together to oppose this. I'm delighted."

Alex McIntosh, head of marine at Clydeport, confirmed the fees plan was not going ahead at the present time in an update shared with river users.

He said: "Currently, Clydeport does not intend to progress consultation with the wider community regarding conservancy fees for individual vessel owners, as the introduction of such fees will not be taken forward at this time."

"A comprehensive review is still under way to assess how the waterways are being used and by whom, to ensure Clydeport can manage them effectively and efficiently for the benefit of all port users."

The decision was welcomed by Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Scotland which had lobbied Peel Ports Clydeport over the plans.

Chief executive Finlo Cottier Said: "Through our engagement with Clydeport we're very pleased to see the switch in focus by them away from fees towards ensuring respectful sharing of Clyde waters by all users."

Earlier this year members of the Port Glasgow Boating Club, a small member-run group in Inverclyde, spoke to the BBC of their anger at the proposed levy, describing it as "extortion".

Club member Ian Clark, who has a 21ft (6.4m) boat, welcomed the change of heart, but said he remained fearful the plan might be revived in future.

He told BBC Scotland News: "I'm a bit sceptical to be honest, I think they are just biding their time."

Some boat owners, many of whom are retirees, had claimed the extra levy, on top of club fees and insurance, would make their pastime unaffordable.

Mr Clark said, in his case, his anger was less about the money but more the principle.

"They are just trying to make money out of a natural resource," he said.

Harbour authorities are independent bodies responsible for the safety and efficiency of marine operations including things like safe navigation, regulation of vessels and pilotage.

They make their money by charging harbour dues and fees for other facilities.

In the 1960s the various trusts that administered the Clyde were merged into a publicly-owned body but this was privatised under John Major's Conservative government in 1992 and became Clydeport Ltd after a management buyout.

Eleven years later Clydeport was bought for about £190m by Peel - a large group of property and infrastructure companies ultimately controlled by the Whittaker family.

The acquisition gave Peel a vast network of land, ports and other facilities in Scotland including the King George V dock in Glasgow, Greenock Ocean Terminal, Inchgreen dry dock, Ardrossan harbour and the deep water terminal at Hunterston.

Peel Ports Clydeport is also the harbour authority, controlling the river from Glasgow, as far as Arran and including sea lochs such as Holy Loch and Loch Long.

The Peel Group remains a minority but largest single shareholder in Peel Ports which is now the UK's second largest ports operator.