Protect Existing Capacity

Imagine that the statutory bodies (the ‘Relevant Authorities’) can be persuaded to work together on the wider Solent issues, especially the capacity problem. This is what could happen:-

The Relevant Authorities agree to look at the capacity issue. At an early stage, they realise the huge amount of revenue and jobs at stake. The local authorities, probably supported by the ports, assert that as a minimum the existing situation must be protected if at all possible.

The consequences of this decision, with which the other relevant authorities will find it hard to disagree, include

- agreement that protection of East Head and Hurst should be given priority

- agreement that defensive works are needed at Newtown spit

- agreement that means of slowing or stopping the loss of protection of moorings at Lymington should be investigated as a matter of urgency

- as English Nature have recently decided that protection of West Solent saltmarsh by feeding the intertidal area should go ahead, ABP would be invited to consider using dredgers that could trickle feed the area. This would require some capital investment, but may save steaming time to the current dump site at the Nab.