Onley protest went ahead

AS PROMISED, actors and boating enthusiasts Timothy West and Prunella Scales (Famous boaters against new marina—NbW 20/09/12) led a demonstration against the proposed 550 berth marina at Onley on the Oxford Canal.

The protest was organised by Tim Coghlan, Managing Director of Braunston Marina, that of course would be in competition with the new planned marina. Tim pointed out that they call the proposed site the Monster Marina, that will be amongst the largest in the country, and would make five over a six miles stretch.

Demand fallen

It is now widely accepted that the demand for berths has fallen considerably with the depression, and the protesters believe that there is no need for a further marina on the Oxford

Prunella is a former president of the Campaign for the Preservation of Rural England, and at the protest yesterday (Sunday) Timothy read part of the poem by Rupert Brooke, extolling the beauty of the countryside.

The company behind the proposal, J Marine, are using the argument that there is a demand for more berths and that the marina has the potential to deliver substantial boating, ecological and community benefits. It is supported by Onley Park Residents Association.

Oversupply

Of the proposal, our Allan Richards points out:

"It is difficult to see why the developer is attempting to go ahead with this.

"Even Canal & River Trust's predecessor, British Waterways, have admitted to oversupply of marina berths in the Midlands. British Waterways' Finance Director is also a Director of its marina subsidiary British Waterway Marinas Ltd. In a finance report to the board last November he blamed BWML's poor performance during the year as partially due to 'increased vacancies in marinas in the midlands due to competition from new marinas'."