Two out of three locations around Barnstaple will keep historic ports status

Barnstaple’s historic ports are to remain after their importance to the community was made clear during a public consultation.

Theer had been fears Barnstaple would lose its historic port status after almost 1,000 years as North Devon Council bid to cut costs, but today (Monday, March 2) it was announced two town centre locations would remain as official ports.

The council’s strategy and resources committee had been considering decommissioning Rolle Quay and Castle Quay as well as Fremington Quay because they did not comply with the new Port Marine Safety Code and would be costly to bring up to scratch.

READ MORE: Consultation launched on the future of three historic North Devon quays

In autumn last year, the council estimated it could cost up to £500,000 to get all three sites up to compliance standards. The cheaper option – at around £75,000 – was to remove buoys, ladders and mooring rings and other items from the quays and decommission them.

But following structural reports, costing £30,000 and a three month public consultation, the two Barnstaple ports are to stay, the committee has decided.

Fremington Quay will be decommissioned, however, with the committee hearing it was not used for any commercial or marine activities.

The town centre sites are well used by people fishing, sea cadets and boat owners whose families have docked vessels there for generations.

From the 105 responses to the consultation received by North Devon Council, only 13 supported the removal of the facilities and 63% said they used the sites on a regular basis.

The wider use of Rolle Quay and Castle Quay became even more evident at an in-person event held by the council.

Councillors were told this week the final costs of keeping the Barnstaple ports as marine facilities would be known after a further investigation was carried out but that it would be ‘quite a piece of work’.

The work will include removing old ladders and replacing with new ones and installing other equipment.

Ilfracombe Harbour Master Georgina Carlo-Paat said the history and the community around the quays was important to people and that certainly came through at a meeting the council held with the public at its hub in Green Lanes Shopping Centre.

She said there was no commercial activity at Rolle Quay, but all but one of the boats there was in active use.

Councillor Malcolm Wilkinson said this showcased the value of a good consultation. He said initial audit reports recommended that Rolle Quay be the only one retained, but the use of Castle Quay was very apparent when talking to people, so he was glad the council had taken this into account.

People who used Fremington Quay for fishing, rowing and cycling would see no change to the existing situation, the committee heard.