PORT MASTERPLAN ADDENDUM 2019-2024 TOR BAY HARBOUR AUTHORITY 2 Port Masterplan Addendum
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PORT MASTERPLAN ADDENDUM 2019-2024 TOR BAY HARBOUR AUTHORITY 2 Port Masterplan Addendum the Bay and its 3 enclosed ports of Brixham, As part of ongoing efforts to minimise the EXECUTIVE Paignton and Torquay have been successfully impact of human activity on Tor Bay’s natural delivered, including improvements to Princess environment – while also allowing, where SUMMARY Pier and Beacon Quay in Torquay, improved possible, for those activities to take place - the fendering and other infrastructure for the Harbour Authority have been closely involved fishing and shell-fishing industry in Paignton in several Bay-wide initiatives to improve and Brixham. Inevitably a lot of the Port sustainability. These have included monitoring In 2013 The Tor Bay Harbour Authority Masterplan has yet to be delivered but this is the recently introduced Torbay inshore Marine published its Port Masterplan which set out, only to be expected: we are only 5 years into a Conservation Zone; working alongside Living for the first time, a practical and realistic long- 25-year programme. Coasts and others by contributing to the term strategy for the future of Tor Bay Harbour design and installation of experimental eco- over the following 20-25 years. The Masterplan There have been many changes to the moorings to hopefully reduce scouring of was designed as a ‘living document’ and operating environment, too: reductions the seabed caused by mooring and anchor the subject of periodic updates to remain to central government funding of Local chains; and working with the Community aligned with the evolving needs and wishes Authorities, combined with increased demands Seagrass Initiative and Fishing for Litter of Harbour users, reinforce and build on upon its services, have left Torbay Council projects, among others. achieved successes, and to identify and react (among many others) facing severe financial to new challenges and opportunities. pressures. The consequences of the 2016 Brexit vote have yet to crystallise but could In the 5 years since its publication much has present challenges for tourism, and the marine changed. Operationally, the Bay’s popularity and environmental sectors which will have to as a working and recreational harbour has be addressed quickly if business continuity is increased with greater number of marine to be maintained. It might also result in greater events held every year. The fishing industry opportunities eg for the fishing industry. It is based primarily in Brixham has expanded, probable that the administrative burden will and the Bay remains a regular destination increase eg as a result of increased customs anchorage for cruise ships and other checks of non-UK vessels landing to Torquay merchant vessels. or Brixham, and proactive steps are being Many of the projects identified to improve taken to mitigate this. TOR BAY HARBOUR AUTHORITY Port Masterplan Addendum 3 ports develop over time. Pleasingly, the Port Masterplan has stood the test of time: although much has changed over the intervening period, it remains a valid and actionable document, requiring only a minor update – the purpose of this Addendum, which is designed to be read in conjunction with the original publication. Objectives and projects which have already been achieved are identified; those that are ongoing are critically reviewed against the current and foreseeable operating comprehensive in its breadth: it considered not environment and modified as necessary only the physical infrastructure requirements INTRODUCTION to ensure that they can be delivered. New of the Harbour’s ports and the wishes of its opportunities are identified and incorporated users, but it also encompassed the wider into the Addendum. Similarly, those objectives environmental and socio-economic aspects In 2012 the Tor Bay Harbour Authority described in the 2013 publication which are including tourism, transport links, employment commissioned Royal Haskoning DHV either undeliverable or no longer pertinent are opportunities, and its contribution to the health to consult on and draft a strategic Port also categorised along with an explanation of and wellbeing of residents and visitors. Masterplan for Tor Bay and the three enclosed why they will no longer be pursued. ports of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham. When the Port Masterplan was published, This document was published in 2013 by the This document has been developed after the Torbay Local Plan and the towns’ Harbour Authority to set out, for the first time, extensive consultation with stakeholders and Neighbourhood Plans were still being a practical and realistic long-term strategy the public to reflect their evolving aspirations developed, and thus a key purpose of the for the future of Tor Bay Harbour over the and requirements. Consultation events were Port Masterplan was to inform, influence and following 20-25 years. held on a number of throughout the summer assist their development by explaining to local of 2018 at each of the enclosed ports to communities and the marine industry how The Port Masterplan was unashamedly ensure that as many views as possible could they could expect to see the Harbour and its ambitious in its reach and undoubtedly be captured and considered. TOR BAY HARBOUR AUTHORITY 4 Port Masterplan Addendum many maritime races and events each year. hopefully increasing the number of visiting THE BAY AND It is a regionally-significant tourist destination merchant vessels. and also supports a fishing industry of ITS THREE PORTS national importance. Connectivity Since the 2013 publication of the Port Tor Bay is also visited by cruise ships which Masterplan the Bay has become increasingly anchor off Torquay Harbour both because of well connected to the South Devon hinterland its location - it neatly links the destinations Tor Bay and beyond: recent large-scale road network of Hamburg or Southampton in the east, to improvement projects including the A380 South Tor Bay Harbour, the waterfront, the three Cork or Dublin in the west, and the Iberian Devon Expressway have reduced journey enclosed ports and the coastline all form Peninsula to the south. It is also the ideal times for the 30,000 vehicles which daily travel the central part of Torbay’s built and natural ‘gateway’ to Exeter, Dartmoor and many between Torbay and Newton Abbott by up to environment. The focal point is the wide South Devon attractions as well as a popular 40 minutes. This will be further improved if the and open bay which provides substantial destination in its own right. It is also the Torquay Gateway Scheme is progressed. protection from the prevailing south-westerly diversionary harbour of choice for cruise weather. It is truly a community resource. It vessels which cannot safely make Plymouth or Ongoing road widening works along the is a ‘working’ harbour in which cruise ships Dartmouth in poor weather. ‘western corridor’ are also improving and merchant vessels frequently anchor to Brixham’s connectivity to Paignton, Torquay A number of merchant vessels make use of land passengers, change crews or undertake and beyond. However, immediate road Tor Bay’s sheltered deep water anchorages at-sea hull inspections. In poor weather it is a connectivity to each of the three ports remains to temporarily lay-over, to swap crews or ‘port of refuge’ for vessels seeking shelter. The single-carriageway only, and there are to conduct under-water hull inspections. Bay accommodates inshore passenger ferries competing pressures between resident, tourist Historically they also used to conduct hull to connecting the towns of Torquay, Paignton and commercial traffic, all of which continue to cleans and propeller polishing activities and Brixham to Teignmouth and Dartmouth. increase in volume. but these stopped several years ago due The absence of strong tidal currents, rip-tides to concerns over the potential to introduce Intra-port connectivity has similarly improved or eddies, as well as its gently shelving sea- environmental pollutants into the Bay. A with regular seasonal foot-passenger ferries bed make it an ideal and popular destination number of technological advances have which operate between the three ports of Tor for recreational and leisure vessels and hosts addressed these reservations and it is hoped Bay and also to Teignmouth and Dartmouth. that these will recommence in the near future, TOR BAY HARBOUR AUTHORITY Port Masterplan Addendum 5 However the fast ferry service which shell-fish product have increased and the noted that this could not be undertaken without commenced in 2015 was scrapped in 2017 fishing port is approaching capacity in terms the further environmental protection provided due to lack of customer demand. of vessels that it can accommodate. Similarly, by a northern breakwater arm. the fish market is reaching capacity shore-side Rail connectivity for the Bay has similarly regarding the number and size of lorries that Paignton stalled despite the line at Dawlish being rebuilt it can safely accommodate. An objective of Paignton Harbour is a compact and enclosed after it was washed away in 2014, as the rail this Addendum is to address these capacity working harbour which completely dries out improvements outlined in the Local Transport issues to ensure that the fishing industry can at low tide. It is situated within an urban and Plan have been indefinitely delayed due to continue to grow and evolve into the future. mostly residential area of Paignton, lending it funding considerations. a strong community feel by virtue of its active Brixham’s heritage fishing fleet continues dinghy sailing, rowing and Sea Scout groups. Brixham to be an active and visible presence in It is surrounded by several historic buildings, and around the Bay and, along with the Brixham remains the 4th largest fishing port in vibrant restaurants and café as well as some commercial fishing fleet described above, the UK and the largest in England and Wales small commercial marine units, particularly on remains a key element of Brixham’s attraction by value of catch landed; this is illustrated in South Quay, including crab vivier tanks.