The row rumbles on
A controversial dock where a hydraulic sea gate has broken, prompting repairs and flood defences which could cost millions, is plagued by an 'archaic' structure, it has been claimed.
The Secretary of State for Transport retains responsibility for appointing chairs and non-executive members to the boards of the small number of ports considered to be nationally significant. In addition to the broken sea gate, an adjoining canal lock at Glasson Marina is leaking. Glasson Marina has berths for hundreds of smaller sea and inland water boats and marine services. It is operated by Aquavista. The connecting canal lock is maintained by the Canal & Rivers Trust and scheduled as an ancient monument, protected by law.
He has lived at Glasson Dock since 2012. He has worked in the construction industry and quantity surveying. He claims the broken sea gate is an example of incompetence both by Lancaster Port Commission and the Environment Agency. Mr Maddocks said: "In the past, the quay behind our homes had a grass area which residents used for walking dogs, hanging-out washing or barbecues. It was like our 'back yard'. Now and again, the port commission would bring equipment there and do work. There might have been a bit of a moan from residents but, overall, relationships were very amicable.
"Around the covid pandemic period, we were notified that there was going to be action. The dividing fence behind our homes would be removed and the whole stretch of quay would become a working quay. "So, Friends of Railway Place was formed to create an organisation that, we argued, the port commission should deal with. But they said no. They did recognise that our organisation had any real basis."
Bulldozer vehicles can also access the River Lune estuary from the quay, to shift sand or silt. Dredging maintains ship access to the quay. "We realised we were not getting anything by negotiating. They refused to talk to us or consider our concerns. So we have tried to spread the message as far as possible."
"All they have done is create a nice little car park opposite Harbour House with some electric car charging points. We objected to that. I attended a Lancaster City Council planning committee meeting. No councillors would propose the application so the committee chairperson said they would need to." 'SELF-GOVERNANCE CARRIES NO SANCTIONS' Mr Maddocks also said: "The port commission is a strange, anomalous organisation. It is self-governing. The commissioners appoint each other. There are no governance sanctions that can be applied."
"We have seen this happen many times and to other people. They appear ever-so reasonable but things change when you raise questions and ask for facts. They never put anything in writing [to residents]," he claimed. 'PORT STRUCTURE NOT FOR FOR 21ST CENTURY' There are different types of ports in the UK - private or privatised ports, municipal ports and trusts ports.
She said: “ It has become clear to me over the last few years that the governance structure of Lancaster Port Commission , and other trust ports, is not appropriate for the 21st Century. A port commission spokesperson said: "In respect of the sea gate, it is understandable that flood defences are a concern to local residents. The sea gate, whilst located on port land, carries a flood defence function and is not strictly necessary to the statutory harbour function as all commercial and leisure vessels can continue to access the docks with the gates lowered.
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