Agenda item

To consider any items which are urgent matters in the opinion of the Chairman.

Sea Stairs

The Porthmadog Town Council Representative noted that he wished to raise the matter regarding the Sea Stairs at the unanimous request of the Town Council meeting the previous evening, to report back to the Town Council on the matter at its next meeting.  The Chairman noted that there was no objection to having a discussion on the matter.

The Town Council Representative noted that there had been correspondence for some time between the Town Council, the Maritime and County Parks Unit, and Porthmadog Sailing Club regarding public access to the Sea Stairs.  He emphasised that these stairs were part of the history and heritage of the town of Porthmadog, and that the Town Council was strongly of the view that it was necessary to protect the age-old tradition of local people's right to enjoy the use of the Sea Stairs.  He referred to the work of creating access to pontoons down the Sea Stairs between 2002 and 2004, emphasising that a letter received by the Town Council from the Maritime and Country Parks Manager, dated 16 September 2019, noted that "when the original scheme to install a pontoon was developed by the sailing club, the Maritime and Country Parks Service ensured that the development would not restrict access to the water near the Slate Steps [Sea Stairs] site". The letter also noted that "this was sold to the Sailing Club, and it is possible that this is minuted in a meeting of the Porthmadog Harbour Consultative Committee". 

He further noted that the metal gate with a sign noting "No access beyond this point" was contrary to the Maritime and Country Parks' Unit's instruction, at the time of the scheme to install the original pontoon, that public access would continue. In fact, it was now impossible to gain access to the original historic steps themselves, as the Access Bridge for the pontoon had now been built on top of them; and there was a need to rectify this. 

The Leisure Interests Representative noted that the Sailing Club had written to the Town Council on three occasions explaining the exact nature of the situation, and that the sign clearly noted that anyone using the harbour had the right to access to the water for loading / unloading craft, etc.

The Town Council Representative noted that the sign read "Safety Notice - private access - pontoon for harbour users' use only - no fishing or crabbing".  The words 'private access' and the iron gate did not invite access to the pontoon, even for boat users, and it caused people to feel as though they were trespassing on private property.  

In response, the Leisure Interests Representative explained that the sign read 'private entrance' as the ramp was the property of the Sailing Club, and that it too was responsible for its inspection, its maintenance and its insurance. Therefore, it was necessary to set a restriction of some kind on who could gain access, but he reiterated the fact that any harbour user had the right to go down to the water.

The Maritime and Country Parks Manager explained that the Unit had co-operated on this matter with the Sailing Club, this committee and the Dwyfor Area Committee for a number of years. He noted that the original steps (which were the property of Gwynedd Council) were at times covered by the tide. They were therefore slippery and a number of accidents had occurred. Although there was no wish to close the steps, there was a need to be vigilant.  He further explained, at the time of developing the scheme, that there had been an agreement that one pontoon would be reserved for craft visiting the harbour to load / unload, and that this situation had not changed. It was possible that there was an opportunity here to revisit the wording of the sign with the Town Council and the Sailing Club, but he emphasised, as far as public access was in question, that access was only permitted for use of the harbour. 

The Town Council Representative noted that the steps should be made safe rather than closed off and given away to a private club. He added, accepting that the pontoon had been built on this location, and that the decision had been made years previously by agreement and consultation, that the current situation was unacceptable.

The Leisure Interests Representative noted that the scheme had been approved by Cadw as the walls were listed.

It was emphasised that it was vital that emergency services should be able to gain access to the water.

The Town Council Representative suggested that the gate should be removed, and a sign installed emphasising the need for access for emergency services. He once again emphasised that public access could not be restricted.

In response, the Leisure Interests Representative noted that the removal of the gate was not an option, and emphasised that harbour users were fully aware that they had the right to come and go as they wished.

The Town Council Representative noted that not everyone was aware of this.

The Maritime and Country Parks Manager suggested that the Town Council could propose an alternative wording for the sign, but emphasised that the neither the pontoon nor the Access Bridge would be removed to reopen the steps, as the current situation was safer than it previously was.

In response to a query from the Town Council Representative, the Maritime and Country Parks Manager noted that there was no public right of way beyond the gate, but rather access for harbour users only. The Leisure Representative noted that he did not believe that changing the wording of the sign would make any difference as the current sign clearly noted that access was permitted for people who needed to load / unload their craft.

The Chair noted that it was evident that there was confusion regarding who had the right to use the ramp below the Harbour wall, and the Representative was asked to report back to the Town Council on the matters discussed at this committee.