Will Barnstaple remain a port?

Boatowners weigh in on decisions

Boat owners and other water users have until January to give their views on whether Barnstaple should remain a port.

North Devon Council says it would need to find £500,000 to ensure all marine facilities at Castle Quay and Rolle Quay in Barnstaple and Fremington Quay comply with the new port and marine facility safety code.

Decommissioning the sites would cost less than a fifth of that to remove all the equipment including buoys, ladders and mooring rings but it would mean that boats cannot dock there in the future.

However, the slipways could still used by groups and individuals for water activities such as paddleboarding and rowing.

At a North Devon Council last September members expressed some concern that if the marine activities were removed Barnstaple would no longer be a port which was part of its history.

They asked for a full consultation to take place with water users.

Launching that this week the council said it wanted to gain “a deeper understanding” of how each of the sites were used. The consultation will run until Monday, January 5, 2026. 

The outcome of the consultation and its responses will be considered by the council’s strategy and resources committee in March 2026 and will help inform a decision on whether the sites are retained for use into the future.

Councillor Malcolm Wilkinson (Lib Dem, Mortehoe), lead member for coastal communities at North Devon Council, said: “We recognise that Castle Quay, Rolle Quay and Fremington Quay each have their own rich history.

“If they are to be retained for ongoing use, we have a duty of care to ensure our facilities are safe and meet modern industry-standard requirements. This is a significant undertaking, so we need to ensure any upgrades are in the interest of our communities and that the cost of doing this is reflective of how the facilities are used. 

“We encourage everyone to share their views by taking part in the consultation. The feedback we receive will help us identify the best way forward and make an informed decision on the future of these marine facilities.”