Agenda item

Mr Andrew Murray presented a petition with 207 signatories, as follows:

“It is about our Margate Cinque Port Harbour that has for many years been allowed to build up with rotting, decaying mud rubbish, sediments and seaweed. This is creating a methane sewage emitting smell, that smells similar to urine and the stench is airborne because of the build-up of sediments over on-going years.  It is putting people off from coming to our Heritage Cinque Port Harbour.  The Council are advertising Our Town as a unique port and that Cinque Ports are to look after sailors when coming into Margate.

“As the Council are in charge of maintaining our beaches which is included in people’s rates, the smell that the harbour emits is putting people off coming to our town.  The main problem seems to have started when the sluice arched part got bricked up on the outer side of the harbour wall which allowed water to pass through and clear the inner harbour of unwanted sediments, mud and seaweed.  This would take it out to the sea.  We the petitioners are disgusted that this has been allowed to happen over many years which would not bring prosperity to our town.  The problems are easy to resolve, i.e re-open the sluice with a big gated gate to allow water pass through clearing the harbour of decaying debris.  There was once a time when the harbour was full of vessels of all types, including yachts and cargo boats.  Now only smaller crafts can enter our harbour as its been allowed to clog up with debris of all kinds.  This is putting off our holiday makers and people who visit our Turner Centre and some wouldn’t want to come again.  We the petitioners feel that businesses are suffering in the area.  It is a disgrace for our Heritage Town.  The Council have recently spent millions of pounds on steps and an Art Gallery.  It is a small amount of money to re-open the sluice gate and would solve the problems for good.  Under Maritime Law and Cinque Port Laws which the Council advertise this build up should never of happened as sailors cannot get boats in any more, as the sand has built up over the years.  How is this neglect helping sailors and our ports?  That is why Cinque Ports were made, many years ago to look after sailors mainly.

“We hope that our petition will sort this problem out for Margate.  We hope our Port will be a better attraction for all in the future once this sluice gate is re-opened.”

In presenting the petition, Mr Martin also suggested:  that the rotting seaweed trapped in a confined area produced methane gas, which could pose respirational health risks; that the seaweed could be recycled by means of an anaerobic digester or burned without harmful emissions to produce electricity, thereby saving the Council money in terms of landfilling costs; that seaweed was a danger when wet but an excellent bio feedstock why dry; and that the slipway for launching craft was covered with rubbish.

It was NOTED that, in accordance with the Council’s petitions scheme, the petition would be referred to Cabinet without debate for report to Council within three ordinary meetings.