Saturday, May 27, 2006

WHAT A CALAMITY!


I am not aware of any official notification that the Balmoral and the Waverley will no longer be allowed to dock at Swanage Pier. However, I understand an accident involving the Balmoral there last Summer has led to a disagreement over insurance claims for the necessary repairs.
The door to the Jurassic Coast from Swanage pier has been closed. Another blow to tourism, another step backwards, another opportunity squandered.
It seems the problem is financial. Swanage Town Council or Purbeck District must see the need for financial support for proper maintenance or insurance cover; even if the Council accepts no responsibility or recognition of the pier’s value to tourism. Surely it is not beyond their means to get the Dolphin pier replaced or repaired? The argument over insurance can follow. Keep the boats coming sooner rather than later.

E. Storer

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

If these boats don't come to Swanage any more I would find this both personally and commercially very sad. How much money is required? How much money will the Pier Trust loose by not doing the repair themselves? It sounds like someone is cutting off their nose to spite their face here.

Postman2 said...

Was it Oscar Wilde who said some folk know the price of everything but the value of nothing...

Anonymous said...

but whose fault was it? would you pay out if it as not your fault?

Postman2 said...

The work must be done now, argue the responsibility later.

Anonymous said...

nick in the real world that dont happen mate, im not disagreeing with you just being realistic

Anonymous said...

I dont fancy going to sea in these ancient old boats. After all these years, I bet there is a rivet or two that is only held together with rust!

The Postman said...

Echo online Thursday 1 June: FOR the first time in a decade, the historic paddle steamers Balmoral and Waverley will not be stopping in Swanage this summer:
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/purbeck/display.var.779044.0.gribble_to_blame_for_pier_decay.php