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Boat users leaving historic harbour amid rising fees

BBC A sign on grass says 'welcome to Lydney Harbour' and there is a boat on water to the far right of the image. BBC
Many boat owners say they are unhappy with how Lydney Harbour is being managed

The future of a historic harbour is being debated, after "members have been leaving" amid rising bills and issues with facilities.

Some boat owners at Lydney Harbour, Gloucestershire, have left their moorings after some fees rose by 120%.

The Environment Agency (EA), which runs the site, is working to improve access and bosses said they were entitled to charge "fair and reasonable" fees.

"The harbour appears to be dying and active users are being discouraged from coming," said member of Lydney Yacht Club, Eric Witheridge.

"Members have actually left the club and moved their boats to other ports further down the river because they don't want to pay fees.

"But more importantly they want to have some confidence they can get their boat in and out of the harbour," Mr Witheridge added.

A bearded man is looking directly at the camera, dressed in a blue jacket with sailing boats behind him.
Mr Witheridge says the harbour faces "a serious decline" if bosses at EA don't improve their approach to the site

The harbour sits on the River Severn and is a popular tourist spot, offering visitors walks, sculptures and birdwatching spots.

Issues with the harbour's gates have caused problems for people getting in and out, and ten people have left the club, Mr Witheridge said.

The EA has acknowledged issues with the gates, investing over £2.5m in the refurbishment of the sea gates, dredging, and public safety measures. 

"The next phase of works will focus on making the piers safe again, while maintaining operational use of the harbour," an EA spokesperson said.

Some boats moored on both sides of Lydney Harbour, with blue skies overhead
Lydney Harbour is regarded as one of Gloucestershire's most historic sites

Resident boat owners are also unhappy with an increase in mooring fees, which has gone up by 120% in some cases.

David Phillips, who has used the club since 2004, was among those who saw a rise.

"My personal mooring fees have gone up from £272 a year to £600.

"I don't feel we were given much notice for it.

"The effect of this is that it's actually turning an awful lot of boat owners who do use this harbour away," he said.

To encourage more boat owners to remain at the site, the club has now invested in a boat lift, which will allow vessels to be stored on land during the winter.

Man in a navy blue zip up jacket is looking at the camera with boats in the background behind him
Boat owner David Phillips saw his annual mooring fee increase from £276 to £600 in April

The EA said it charged boat owners to moor their boats at the harbour so that those who benefit from the navigation services contribute towards the 'significant costs' of operating and maintaining the harbour infrastructure.

“In April 2024, mooring rates increased in line with inflation for the first time in over a decade.

"As a government body funded by the public purse we have a duty to ensure fair and reasonable income from harbour users who benefit from the significant expenditure to maintain and operate the harbour," an EA spokesperson added.

Members of the boating community are hoping to hold future talks with the organisation to discuss a way forward.

"We just need things to happen to enable the harbour to be used in a better way," said Mr Witheridge.

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