Dorset harbour fees set to rise next year
Weymouth, West Bay and Lyme Regis prices are going up
People using harbours at Weymouth, West Bay and Lyme Regis are warned to expect price rises next year.
They're set to go up by a minimum of 5%, according to Dorset Council.
Decisions on local fees are benchmarked against other, similar, harbours, with that increase thought to see the local sites remain competitively priced.
In some cases at Weymouth though, fees could go down – if people are expected to increase their use of the harbour.
A 25% discount is being suggested for leisure craft staying for a week or more with a lower rate, yet to be agreed, for slipway fees after 2.30pm.
There's also recommendations for a larger price increase of 10% for personal watercraft docks (jet skis) at Weymouth.
Six docks were installed in 2021 and a further nine in 2022, and all of them were fully occupied during the summer season, along with a waiting list.
At West Bay and Lyme Regis the bigger increase is being proposed for quayside parking for launch vehicles with the 10% uplift also being applied for assistance by harbour staff and for mechanical and marine services.
Weymouth harbour was forecast to bring in £104,600 this financial year, but it's now likely to reach £214,600, with any surplus being transferred to the harbour reserve fund at the end of the financial year next April.
West Bay has seen increases in car park income and from diving air refills, with Lyme Regis harbour up on car parking fees, shop income, kayak storage and in visiting vessel stays and launch fees.