Calls to remove 'junk' left in Poole Harbour for decades

Old, abandoned and ruined boats have for some time been seen scattered on an area near Fisherman’s Slipway, along with what looks like jetsam. 

But one resident has called for the “junk”, which is located close to the RNLI Poole Lifeboat Museum, to be tidied up once and for all. 

Boats are seen left abandoned and upside down

Poole Old Town resident Mr Scott said: “It needs to be cleared up because most of it is just junk.  

“The boats there are not seaworthy, that’s for sure. 

“Poole wants to attract tourists, but it is a bit of a blight on the landscape. 

“I've lived in Poole for 14 years and after walking past there you realise it has never been tidied up. 

“It's not a good look for Poole. 

“It's quite nice having boats on the slipway, but just having junk is not attractive.”

The site, located behind houses in Ballard Road, has been left with broken and rotten boats for some time and is regualrly used by fishermen.

Cllr Andy Hadley, ward councillor for Poole Town, echoed Mr Scott’s appeal to tidy up the disused land.

He said: “It’s a working area and for decades it has been a boat yard for fishermen, so they do need somewhere to work. 

“However, the site could be better managed and tidied up.  

“There is talk of a fence being put around it, but that could be worse and would be an eyesore.” 

The site is managed by, and leased out to, Poole District Fisherman’s Association. 

Tom Russell, chairman of the PDFA, said he hopes to get the site tidied up, with a little help, as soon as possible.

He said: "We have been in discussion with BCP council over the last couple of years. They are going to help us have a clear out in exchange for the grassy area known as Wickes field."