BRIDGWATER Town Council is investigating new ways the town’s docks could be managed going forward.

Bridgwater Docks has been leased from Somerset County Council by the Canal & Rivers Trust (CRT) and the CRT do not wish to renew the lease of the Docks.

However Bridgwater Town Council, alongside passionate local volunteers, has long been advocating for the restoration of the towns waterways including the preservation of the docks, enabling the tidal barrier to have a sea lock so that the river is navigable and upgrading the canal.

The town council say the docks need significant repair works carried out, particularly to the Bascule Bridge and the river-facing lock.

Cllr Kathy Pearce, Bridgwater Town Council’s community and environment portfolio holder, will be fronting the new Docks Campaign.

“It is the Canal and Rivers Trust’s responsibility for the repairs under the terms of their lease and so Bridgwater Town Council is endeavouring to work with Somerset County Council, the CRT and interested parties to find a solution,”she said

Cllr Mick Lerry, the town council’s economy spokesman, added: “We are investigating a new Consortium, involving interested parties to take on the responsibility for the running of the Docks.

“We had initial meetings this week but it’s important to get the right partners around the table and to establish funding sources. Our next port of call will be Sedgemoor District Council.”

Cllr Glen Burrows said it was important the docks are maintained as part of the town’s local heritage.

“We deplore the neglect of the infrastructure and the lack of respect shown to the occupants of the boats there,” Cllr Burrows said.

“We are using the space provided by the extension of the lease to persuade Somerset County Council, Canals & River Trust and representatives from the docks community to work jointly to achieve a proper management of the docks.”

Cllr Brian Smedley said there was an opportunity to implement a new vision for the future of the docks, however it would need significant commitment and funding.

The Canal & River Trust has leased the Docks from the freeholder, Somerset County Council, since 1999.

However, the charity says is unable to commit to the cost of maintaining the Docks in the long term, and so will not be renewing its lease which was due to expire on July 31, but an extension has been agreed to November 2020.

A spokesman for the Canal and Rivers Trust said: "Over the years the Trust has maintained the Docks to the standard agreed with Somerset County Council in line with the terms of the lease. Once the lease expires the Trust will hand the Docks back to Somerset County Council, in the condition in which it was originally taken on, and with all dilapidation work completed, as agreed with Somerset County Council.

"SCC has confirmed that they do not want to maintain the leisure mooring sites in the Docks. This unfortunately means that all boats will need to be removed prior to the lease expiring. However, the Trust recognises that the current situation with coronavirus makes this a difficult prospect, so it has agreed an extension of its lease, to November 2020, with Somerset County Council.

"Those moorers who have a permit that is due to expire soon, were contacted in May with the offer of short-term extension to allow them time to move their boats from July onwards (subject to the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions).

"It is expected that everyone will have left the Docks (in line with the expiry of their mooring permits) by early 2021.

"The Trust is doing all it can to help boaters through the coming months, whether that’s through the offer of short-term leisure mooring permits or by helping with the practicalities of moving their boats when needed. The charity is also happy to discuss alternative sites for their boats.

"The Trust has been working with moorers regarding the establishing of a community group to manage the moorings and has put them in contact with relevant Somerset County Council staff. However, the final decision on the future of the Docks rests solely with Somerset County Council as the owners."

Somerset County Council said it was positive about Bridgwater Town Council's involvement going forward.

A Somerset County Council spokesperson said: “We welcome the efforts of Bridgwater Town Council as it seeks to identify interested parties to take over the future of the Docks and look forward to discussing the proposals further.

“In the short term the Canal and Rivers Trust (CRT) has made it clear it wishes to terminate the lease in due course. In order to do this the Trust must first undertake key maintenance works.

“We appreciate this is a difficult time for boat owners and in the meantime we’re keen to explore all options with the Town Council for transferring the site or to find a new owner.”