Needless to say it's an expensive operation involving some major excavations and new piles been driven deep into the river bed.
The work is also part of a controversial marina development which will see many of the club's mid stream moorings upgraded with walk ashore access. the scheme also involves the neighboring RAFYC which will share some of the new marina.
Of course not all river users are so enamored with the scheme which restricts access and removes two safe navigation channels for small craft, forced them out into the main channel.
There are some who suggest that the many stakeholders including the harbour board, Crown Estates and the planning authority are more interested in profits than the wider benefit to river users. Of course I couldn't possibly comment.
Well I'll comment then. As an occasional kayaker and dinghy sailor it is a pain having to skirt round all those pontoons especially when it involves entering the main channel which can be like the M25 in the rush hour. Much easier to sneak up the inside of a row of moorings. Mind if you've got the word royal on your letter head you can pretty much do as you please.
ReplyDeleteOops did I say that out loud?
Those inside channels were originally called secondary channels - then the HM decided to rename them access channels, some might suggest so setting the principle that they are not for regular navigation and thus easier to justify the closure in favour of a marina - I of course couldn't possibly comment
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