Bristol harbour

siencyn

siencyn

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My apologies for not letting people know earlier, forgot! But on our recent trip to Bristol we gave the harbour 24hrs notice. However, he informed me and asked to spread it around that they now need 48hrs notice for lock ins! More planning required but it's still well worth for us! Great stop over, really helpful staff and HarbourMaster! Lively but some quiet areas available. Though they could do with more quiet spots. Aparantly the reason for the 48 hrs notice is down to a lack of funds to replace a retired staff electrician! You may wonder if this is a further result of Tory austerity and the stupidity of Brexit but I couldn't possibly comment!
 
That notice only required for sail boats that need Plimsoll Bridge to be swung, the small junction lock bridge will still swing on demand
All way a good idea to let them know you're coming
 
Been into Bristol on OPBs but when we looked into going ourselves last season it seemed an incredibly complicated task, and we were looking at a tide which would have meant loads of waiting around in the cumberland. Can't imagine needing to give 48hrs notice makes the situation much better.
 
We had no problem arriving Bristol 1hr before HW. It took awhile but they opened the Plimsoll bridge and we waited 10 minutes for them to open the junction. Booked an opening of the Junction lock for 0530 which let us out more or less straight way, well 20 minutes or so. Just right to catch HW at Avonmouth? All good! Worth the wait!
 
The problem is apparently that the bridge swing mechanism broke a couple of years ago - they had to wind it shut! The repairs are more of a temporary nature; last time I came through the sparks ran underneath to do something to make it work after the button did nothing.
 
Arriving at Bristol is not to complicated
They lock in before high water
2 hours 35 minutes prior
1 hour 25 minutes prior
15 minutes prior

Lock out HW minus 2 hours 50; 1 hour 40 and 30 minutes

There are times ie rush hour, that they won't swing the bridges and the stop gates go on at high springs, all you have to wait in the basin, or come it at heaps

Give them a call on 0117 9273663 or check out the web site Bristol.gov.uk
 
As I say, I'm just passing on the message from the Harbour master they they require 48 hrs notice of arrival? As I understand it's because one of the electricians you speak of has retired and the other is ill. They have to book outside contractors I believe?
 
That's what the harbour people told me when locking in Saturday
If that bridge sticks open it causes traffic chaos (road that is)
 
siencyn said:
As I say, I'm just passing on the message from the Harbour master they they require 48 hrs notice of arrival? As I understand it's because one of the electricians you speak of has retired and the other is ill. They have to book outside contractors I believe?
Click to expand...

I had the same message from them. 48 hours notice for Plimsoll Bridge required, no exceptions. If others have not experienced this recently, I can only assume it's because you were locking through with another boat who had already made the booking with the required notice..?
 
I spoke to someone at Uphill who has just arrived in the area - and he was saying they told him at Bristol Harbour there was a locking charge if the bridge had to swing ?

I have never heard of any charge for Bristol access - other than harbour dues once in etc ?
Has something changed - recently ?
 
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