Bristol Council slammed for scrapping Ebenhaezer

BOATERS of the Bristol Boaters Community Association have slammed Bristol City Council for deciding to scrap the Ebenhaezer.

Instead of allowing the barge to be taken on as a commercial asset or to be transformed into a liveaboard, reports Janet Friend.

The barge is at present currently in the Albion dry dock after surveys found it is no longer safe for it to remain in the harbour.

It was in 2019 that the council purchased the Ebenhaezer and its mooring rights next to Welsh Back for £1.4m in order to allow development of former warehouses to take place.

Sorry saga

The association maintains the sorry saga of the Ebenhaezer is yet another example of the price Bristol is paying for the ongoing neglect of its harbour assets, it telling:

“The council’s decision to let this vessel go to waste represents a significant missed opportunity, both commercially and for community benefit.

“Over the years, a number of beneficial community organisations have attempted to take on the responsibility for this vessel since it came under council ownership, only to be rejected by the Harbour Authority."

It maintains this is yet another example of the price Bristol is paying for the ongoing neglect of its harbour assets.