The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Harbours ‘neglected at expense of cruise ship tourism’
Historic fishing ports are being neglected in favour of boosting cruise ship tourism at Aberdeen’s harbour, councillors claim.
Aberdeenshire Council has identified £130,000 for maintenance and repair this year at harbours in Macduff, Rosehearty, Banff and Portsoy.
That is £24,000 down on last year and was condemned by one critic as a “pittance” next to the millions promised for the planned expansion of the city’s maritime facilities.
But council leaders dismissed the claims as short-sighted and insisted investment in the project at Nigg Bay would bring significant rewards to the whole of the north-east.
The neighbouring councils are committed to providing £11million towards the £375million expansion project – as part of the wider City Region Deal.
Councillors from local ports are concerned though that their communities will never see the benefits and will vent their feelings when the council’s Banff and Buchan area committee debates the maintenance budget tomorrow.
Hamish Partridge, who represents Rosehearty and Macduff, said he had “deep concerns” smaller harbours could end up falling by the wayside.
“Our harbours sit in some cases in wrack and ruin but Aberdeenshire Council throws millions at a project that will have zero effect on our towns and communities.”
The signing of the Aberdeen City Region Deal last year was much-heralded for its “game changing” impact on the area.
The complexities of the agreement are still emerging and there is still significant work to be done to scrutinise the spending plans.
There has been community unrest over Aberdeenshire Council plans to invest £130,000 in smaller north-east harbours, while it invests £5.5million in a port expansion in Aberdeen.
Of course, civic leaders are looking at the wider economic interest of the region – and it is clear the development will substantially benefit the shire – but the council must ensure it also supports smaller ports that are equally desperate for investment.