Fees for boat dwellers in Bristol Harbour are set to increase by 7% in April next year, Bristol City Council have announced this week.
This follows major increases by up to 200% in the last two years, and many boaters are calling for fairer systems to be put in place.
The decision is the result of moves to make the harbour more sustainable, with the council calling for these residents to contribute more to harbour maintenance.
Bristol City Council’s Director of Management of Place, Patsy Mellor says that: “The reason [the harbour is] falling down is because there have been leases, rents, moorings, fees, that have gone way below commercial rents.”
The Bristol Boaters Community Association (BCCA) have been vocal in fighting the proposed changes, saying that the increase does not reflect any improvements in facilities or quality of life for those who live on the water.
