Stuart McMillan MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde has launched a public petition calling on Peel Ports’ Clydeport to abandon their proposals to introduce a conservancy fee for leisure craft sailing on the Clyde.
The SNP MSP, who chairs the Scottish Parliament’s Cross Party Group on Recreational Boating and Marine Tourism, recently sent an Open Letter to Jim McSporran, Port Director at Peel Ports, citing concerns that such a fee will restrict freedoms to sail in Scottish waters and have a negative impact upon marine tourism.
This followed consensus at the 27 November 2024 meeting of the Recreational Boating and Marine Tourism CPG to reject these plans.
Stuart hopes this public petition will make more boaters aware of Peel Ports’ plans, and heap further pressure on the port authority to reconsider.
Commenting, Stuart said:
“I’m urging anyone with an interest in leisure sailing to consider supporting my petition.
“Whilst I am not a boater, I have engaged with the sector over many years since setting up the CPG in 2009 and in that time, many issues have arisen, but it’s safe to say nothing has generated as much interest – and frustration – as this proposal from Peel Ports.
“To be frank, the sector views the idea of a conservancy fee as a ‘cash grab’ by Peel Ports. They feel that the rationale for introducing this charge does not stand up to scrutiny.
“Peel Ports were invited to attend the CPG to engage with the sector and outline the details of their plans twice, but on both occasions, declined to attend as no one was available.
“Whilst that may be true, this has created a perception amongst boating organisations that Peel Ports is treating them with contempt, furthering the anger felt about these proposals.
“I hope my petition attracts significant amounts of support so we can demonstrate to Peel just how much the sector oppose their conservancy fee plans.
“This isn’t just about boaters in Scotland, this is about people who sail from other parts of the UK or even Europe to enjoy the Clyde. There is huge concern that this fee will put them off doing so.”
