By Rob McLaren

STRICT OPENING times of the dock gates at Arbroath Harbour are causing anger among boat users, the commodore of Arbroath Sailing and Boating Club has claimed.

Andrew Stewart states that when the gates open for an incoming tide it would be possible for them to remain open for six hours—but on some nights the window is just 14 minutes.

He has called on Angus Council to extend the gates’ opening times during the summer months.

The council has agreed to look at the opening times as a result.

Mr Stewart said, “When the gates open for an incoming tide, it would be possible for them to remain open for approximately six hours, allowing time for boats to return to their berths. Unfortunately, this sailing window is not happening, due to council restraints.

“It is to the frustration of all skippers and crew that on evenings such as Sunday the gates were only open for 14 minutes, from 7.31 pm to 7.45 pm. They could be open until 2am the next day.

“The reason for closing at this time is that staff on duty at the harbour finish work at 8pm.

“On June 8, 9 and 10, the evening opening times of the gates were very limited. From June 11-15, there is no opportunity to sail in the evening as the gates are closed.

“One skipper works in Dundee and finishes at 5pm allowing for travelling time and a check of the boat before leaving harbour, this leaves very little sailing time before he has to return to meet the 7.45pm deadline.

“He could sail for longer, but then he would have to tie up in the outer harbour. I expect he would object to paying the fees for a facility that he could not access.

“The harbour fees are expensive and to have such limiting restrictions causes anger and inconvenience.”

He said the condition of the harbour’s facilities were below standard.

“I had a conversation with the owners of the boat True Glory which is on passage to Shetland,” he said.

“The skipper and his wife stated that they could not understand why the openings are not synchronized with the times of the tides.

“They also mentioned the condition of the toilets and the expensive overnight charge for the poor facilities offered.

“The soon to be added additional pontoon, with extra berthing, will mean more revenue. Could this not be used to fund better facilities and opening times for the dock gates? Continental shifts, used during the summer, would be a possible answer.

“The benefit to all local users and to visitors would be obvious.”

A spokeswoman for Angus Council said, “The council is looking into the various points made in the letter, including considering if there is any scope to vary the operating times of the gates at Arbroath harbour at certain times during the summer season.

“There are staffing and cost implications for any changes made to the opening times of the gates, but we will consider the issues which have been raised with us.”