COLIN Greenwell, Teignmouth port manager, has responded to an advertisement placed in a newspaper by Teignmouth Action Group about the proposed Teignmouth Quay Harbour Provision Order.
Mr Greenwell said: 'I in no way wish to stop people making legitimate representation to the Department for Transport concerning the current application. However, I believe this should be on the basis of genuine concerns based on accurate information. For this reason the application documents are on public display in our offices.'
He also took issue with some claims made in the advertisement.
'Firstly, although the council do not have the final say, (this is a matter reserved for the appropriate Government department), they are a statutory consultee and their views will be taken very seriously into account by the Secretary of State in making the decision.
'Secondly, I do not know where the headline of 24 car parking spaces being lost comes from. Certainly the proposal is to acquire a small section at the eastern end of the car park, but in return the council will be given a vertical wall with a reclaimed area behind.
'Any loss of land will be minimal and will be offset by the creation of the vertical quay wall and provision of wider slipway. The details have been amicably agreed with representatives of Teignbridge District Council. The slipway will be built very early in the development as, for practical purposes, it is desirable to build from the western end first.
'I also note the advert refers to us taking "control of 30 metres of river out from the planned new dock". This is nothing other than a modern replacement of the powers of direction that we already hold, i.e. to 100ft from the quay walls.
'These powers overlap with those of the Teignmouth Harbour commission and are necessary to give directions to commercial vessels visiting the quays.'
Mr Greenwell commented on the proposed increase in powers, in section 5 of the revision order – to authorise the company to appropriate lands and waters for particular persons, trades and vessels, and subject to such terms, conditions and regulations as the company may think fit.
He said: 'Referring to the point about increased powers giving us carte blanche to do anything we want, this is completely erroneous. Our powers limit us to buildings for port-related purposes only. Nor will we be able to authorise any other person to use such buildings for any other purpose.
'Some 10 years ago we undertook not to build on the previously infilled No 2 Dock and we hold by that undertaking.'
Mr greenwell said: 'There will be a small increase in traffic, about eight per cent, but this will not be rush-hour based. The proposal is not concerned with any massive expansion of the port but about replacing worn-out quay walls... It is the minimum necessary to secure the future of the port – one of the important drivers of the local economy.'