Posted on May 23, 2017
By Avril Campbell, East Lothian Courier
AN ACTION plan has been drawn up in a bid to increase the profile and use of Musselburgh’sFisherrowHarbour and waterfront area, with a potential investment of between £1.7 million and £2.3 million in the pipeline.
Future projects could include pontoon berths, dredging the harbour, a designated dog toilet at the East Beach and more dog bins, as well as improved maintenance, marketing and water quality.
Kinross-based consultants Campbell Macrae Associates have produced a 100-plus-page feasibility study into the “valuable local assets”.
They were commissioned by East Lothian Council on behalf of the Musselburgh Area Partnership, which provided £12,000 towards the costs of the report.
It has been suggested that a community-based management group take over running the waterfront area and historic harbour, which is included in the Musselburgh Good Good portfolio and managed by East Lothian Council.
The organisation could include the Berth Holders’ Association, commercial fishing interests, community council, Eskmuthe Rowing Club, Fisherrow Waterfront Group, Fisherrow Yacht Club, local councillors, Musselburgh Sea Cadets and appropriate East Lothian Council staff.
The report stated: “The harbour has been subject to a reactive maintenance regime only over many years; management arrangements lack coordination and communication with users and potential users is poor.
“Income from the harbour over the past five years has averaged £11,500, from around 40-50 berth holders, and it is suspected does not cover direct costs.”
Measures which could enhance visits to the “attractive town beach destination” are: the provision of cycle racks; more seating/picnic tables; step-free access to the Back Sands; provision of shelter, additional information and interpretation; improved soft landscaping; a clear and safe pedestrian/cycle route linking through the car park, as well as a wider range of spending opportunities.
The report sets out potential projects over the short, medium and long term, with the investment potentially £1.7m to £2.3m if all initiatives were implemented.
These include dredging the harbour to increase the tidal window and make it possible for the facility to operate at near capacity of 60 vessels, as well as investigating the possibility of the installation of between 80 and 90 pontoon berths.
Other proposals include developing a beach wheelchair project, a number of regular summer beach activities aimed at local residents, with one larger family fun day event, pop-up shops and beach huts.
The report, which listed possible sources of finance, stated: “It is likely to prove challenging to source the funding to deliver everything, particularly the more expensive options.
“FisherrowHarbour is the focal point of the waterfront and it is important that it benefits from a proactive approach to maintenance, operates at near capacity and that the harbour managers adopt a more proactive and welcoming approach to increasing use.”
The report “strongly” recommended that the council should use the engineering appraisal to facilitate “a proactive and structured approach” to maintenance of the harbour.
Improving the water quality at the Back Sands and ensuring the beach participated in the Beach Award scheme should be “high priority”, as beach users represented a much bigger user group than direct harbour users.
The report stressed that the area had “no real profile in tourism terms” and inclusion on the Visit East Lothian website could increase awareness and potential use.
The consultants highlighted the need for a parking survey to ascertain current use in relation to any scope to reduce parking.
Gaynor Allen and Veronica Noone, co-chairwomen of the Fisherrow Waterfront Group, issued a joint statement saying: “Fisherrow Waterfront Group welcomes the study, which we think is a very accurate reflection of the state of the harbour and harbour area.
“This survey should help address, in a planned and coherent way, many years of neglect, particularly in the harbour.
“FisherrowHarbour has a unique history and culture and is a focal point in our community, yet it has not had necessary routine maintenance and repairs for many years. This survey reveals this neglect and the need to do something about it.
“The study has clear action points and we hope to work with the council, Musselburgh Common Good and stakeholders to ensure real improvements are made to enable local people, visitors and boat owners to enjoy the harbour and waterfront for years to come.”
Norrie Law, of the Berth Holders Association, said: “We think that the survey was generally acceptable.”
He said no work had been carried out on renewing ladders at the harbour, despite it being more than a year since the council was given plans and estimates of what was required, and with money available from the Common Good Fund, claiming: “The council have under-managed or mismanaged any work that has been done or needs to be done.”
Stuart Baxter, area partnership manager, said: “There has been a lot of talk over a number of years about what could be done with the harbour area and the report gives a focus.”
A council spokesperson said: “East Lothian Council is pleased to have received the report compiled by independent consultants, which took in the views of the range of users of FisherrowHarbour, and we look forward to bringing together many of these views to take a common approach to move forward with developments of the harbour.”
Source: East Lothian Courier
