River Users Have Their Say

A crowded meeting held at the Royal London Yacht Club on Wednesday 25^th November and organised by the Isle of Wight division of the British Marine Federation gave the opportunity to the big players of the River Medina to express their views on a number of issues facing the Island in the coming years.  The assembled company of 53 river users included the MD of Red Funnel Mr James Fulford, Mr Mark Rayment of Solent and Wightline Cruises and representatives of the major yacht clubs, industries and residents with properties along and overlooking the river.  The event was chaired by Mr Craig Nutter, Chairman of BMF Isle of Wight, and featured speakers Felix Heatherington and Mike Rainey of the Cowes Waterfront Trust presenting the case for further development of the Cowes Yacht Haven which, by virtue of excluding the original hotel complex, was generally warmly welcomed.  Chief Executive of the Cowes Harbour Commission, Captain Stuart McIntosh provided an update on the proposed new breakwater for Cowes harbour.  One of the reasons for staging the meeting was to introduce the chairman of the new Cowes Harbour Advisory Committee Mr David Walters to the Medina River stakeholders who outlined the purpose of this committee and their advisory role to the Cowes Harbour Commission.  He encouraged users to input any concerns and issues they may have, which would then be put to the Commission.

Concerning the Samuel Whites Estate/Medina Village development the chairman read out a statement from the Harrison Trust that, in spite of the huge cost involved in preparing the ground works, planning permission for mixed residential and industry use of the site was likely to be submitted in 2010.  The site was being well utilised for industry use, particularly by Clive Jeffery MD of South Boats who expressed concern if a reduction in industrial use emerged in future plans.

In the discussion period, Mr Mike Till, Rear Commodore elect of the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, expressed concerned that any ‘upgrading’ of Cowes facilities for yachting events did not result in higher prices for users and particularly for overseas visiting sailors as Cowes was already an expensive venue for staging world class regattas and events.  Other stakeholders were also concerned about Cowes being priced out of the market for major sailing events and the MD of the Cowes Yacht Haven Mr Steve Cole said there was to be a meeting shortly on this very subject at the Haven Events Centre with yacht club representatives and other interested bodies including the Isle of Wight Council.  

Mr Barry Groves of the Cowes Marine Cluster and the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce said that the name ‘Cowes’ was a huge brand name for yachting throughout the world.  What was need was an overall ‘supremo’ to co-ordinate the harbour, river and event operations and that under the present community and public sector arrangements on the Island, only the Isle of Wight Council could really provide this leadership.  

It was pointed out by Ursula Bagnall, that local town and parish councils lacked any real power.   In the immediate future the cash strapped Isle of Wight Council, at least in the current economic climate, was not likely to be able to provide such leadership. Even with this vacuum, the planning to upgrade the infrastructure of the river was making good progress. It remains to be seen if Cowes can become more competitive in the cost of staging major events.

Ends - For further information contact: Bob Milner Tel: 294816.