Sailing town aims to keep ahead of competition with new moorings

NEW walk-ashore moorings have been completed at Lymington marina as the popular sailing town tries to keep ahead of rival locations in the Solent.

The £620,000 project at Town Quay was recently finished by the harbour commissioners ahead of the boating season. They have predicted a £1.1m benefit to the New Forest tourist economy over the next 10 years.

The scheme has increased the walk-ashore visitor berths from 19 to 46, including 26 finger berths, complete with power and water supplies.

Harbour master Ryan Willegers said: “We are delighted that this project, which has been in the making for a number of years following widespread support to an earlier public consultation, is now complete.

“We now look forward to welcoming many new visitors to Lymington so that they can enjoy the wonderful facilities the town and harbour has to offer, while at the same time benefiting the local economy and employment.”

Among the locations in competition is Buckler’s Hard Yacht Harbour, near Beaulieu, which in 2019 was named Coastal Marina of the Year after a £400,000 investment.

As well as improving visitor facilities, the moorings also enlarge the commercial landing to allow larger boats and more frequent visits from pleasure cruise craft bringing day trip tourists from destinations such as Yarmouth and Cowes.

Walk-ashore visitor prices will be between 5% and 15% higher than the Dan Bran visitor pontoon, to reflect the investment in facilities and the Town Quay location, said a spokesperson. However, they will be kept under review.

A new feature is that the finger berths will be available for advance booking, initially through the harbour office but also online in the coming weeks. The revised layout incorporates 32 fore and aft visitor moorings.

Mid-river visitor moorings have been cut from 97 to 32. Resident moorings remains the same, but 24 have been upgraded to pontoon finger berths. Commercial fishing berths have been relocated and increased by one to 18.

The news was welcomed by town mayor Cllr Anne Corbridge who said: “We are really delighted with this investment in our sailing facilities which, along with the shoreside improvements, will certainly push Lymington to the forefront of sailing in the UK.

“Along with the redevelopment of the quay later this year, it will really make our beautiful town the perfect destination for both sailors, visitors and locals, which will certainly boost the local economy.”

The Lymington completion had been hoped to coincide with new shower facilities at the planned replacement toilet block on Town Quay. However, that has been delayed for extra consultation with an opening expected next spring.

For more information visit www.lymingtonharbour.co.uk.

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