The TMBA has received the following request for all interested parties to support parish council proposals for new moorings at Datchet.
Are you able to send this press release from Datchet PC to your members? There have been a few vociferous objectors to Datchet PC’s proposal, the core of their objection is to remove all of the mooring facilities from Datchet all together and have no facilities for any passenger operation at all, they consider that boats spoil their view of the river and that boats are too large and obtrusive. The objectors are riverside residents that have paid high prices for their property and do not want their view of the river frontage to be spoiled by boats, people feeding the swans and ducks, or fishing being a general comment.
Are you also able to put this on your website with a request for people to attend the meeting and support the proposal. A meeting is arranged at Datchet Parish Village Hall at 7.30pm on Wednesday 25th January 2011, all interested parties are invited to attend and present their views.
THE QUEEN’S DIAMOND JUBILEE CELEBRATION AND THE
2012 OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC GAMES
A NOTICE OF INTENTION TO CARRY OUT REPAIR AND REFURBISHMENT WORKS AND REINSTATE A RIVER PASSENGER PICK UP FACILITY WITHIN THE RIVER FRONTAGE AT DATCHET AT THE LOCATION PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AS ‘DATCHET WHARF’.
The two existing boat mooring jetties at Datchet River frontage have become a hazard risk due to suffering dilapidation and damage over a number of years and as a consequence are deemed unsafe and have been prohibited for use by boat owners by the Datchet Parish Council on behalf of their insurers.
Additionally the foreshore footpath in one location has over the years suffered damage by boats and the damage being further exacerbated by flood events during recent years and requires repair for public safety.
The Datchet Parish Council intend to replace the two existing jetties with new structures suitable for present pleasure craft mooring and repair the damaged footpath frontage.
In addition to these works Datchet Parish Council wish to install a third jetty for use by passenger craft as a pick up location for spectators attending the rowing Olympic and Paralympics Games taking place at Dorney between June and September 2012.
The facility is intended for persons arriving in Datchet by train and those persons leaving their cars in Upton car park and wishing to enjoy a river journey experience. The jetty will remain in place following the Olympic Games and provide a continuing visitor facility for enjoyment of the River Thames cruise experience alternatively without the necessity of arrival by car.
The Datchet Parish Council’s intention is that all the above facilities be in place prior to both the Queen’s Jubilee Celebrations and the Olympic games, however, the approval process is somewhat protracted and work cannot proceed until the approval has been granted, but has the full support of the Environment Agency who are the approving body. Meanwhile Datchet Parish Council is continuing to press the Environment Agency for an early response, as the projection completion timescale is critical to this requirement.
The intended works have, in addition, the full approval of all of the river user association which exceed over 100,000 river craft owners and with Datchet Parish Council being invited to join with the Royal Borough in the organisation of these events.
In addition to the above, Datchet Parish Council has been advised that the Village of Wallingford has also refurbished their mooring facilities which have resulted in an increase in trade to local businesses. In view of the Country’s economic conditions the opportunity for Datchet businesses to benefit and participate in the two national events with some continuance into the future should not be missed and has the support of Datchet Parish Council.
Some of the facilities offered to Datchet visitors additional to free 24hr overnight mooring are a range of café’s, pubs, restaurants, hotels, post office and a mini-mart, for topping up those essential supplies and in addition facilities for River Cruise hire and marine services are immediately available on the adjoining site.
The necessity to repair existing structures coinciding with national events where Datchet has an opportunity to participate and benefit, should not be missed and therefor the Parish Council seek the support of all residents and businesses to ensure a successful outcome.
A meeting is arranged at the Parish Village Hall at 7.30pm on Wednesday 25th January 2011, all interested parties are invited to attend and present their views.
Contact relevant to this issue is requested to be made through the Parish office.
Graham J. Leaver
CLERK TO THE COUNCIL
