A huge hike in fees and charges for Bristol’s harbour will hit ferries and boat dwellers from April. The harbour master said the fees were needed to upgrade facilities around the city’s docks, but many of the increases are well above inflation, with several at least doubling.
Fees to use the harbour include for mooring on pontoons, operating ferry services, using barges and tugs, and showering at the Baltic Wharf leisure centre. These will be increased in April at the start of the new financial year, under new plans from Bristol City Council.
Fees are then set to increase again in April next year by the rate of inflation plus an extra five per cent. According to the harbour master, fees in Bristol’s docks are much less than elsewhere in the South West. But local politicians are warning this could hammer boat and ferry users who are struggling financially.
