Terrible Lost Opportunity

[Andrew_Fanner]

Was visiting my brother in law on Sunday. He lives right by the river in Grays, not far from Thurrock YC. He remarked on the lost opportunity presented by his local dock, just left to accumulate silt. Photos at pretty much LW. For no reason I can understand the whole river frontage is blocked by concrete that would not look too out of place on the Atlantic Wall and if you did manage to climb over it and fall in, while there are a couple of ladders, getting back over the concrete might be a bit of a prospect.

The staging seen in one of the photographs is presumably left over from when ther area was a working quayside. Douglas has a part share in a 26' bilge keeler tha normally moors at Canvey Island but has contemplated putting her in here a couple of times. However, the Cobelfret ferries with their digital throttles (On/Off) go past when there is more river and you would want a wave barrier or good ground tackle to deal with the wash at times!

Pix L-R dock basin, dock entrance, Thirrock YC and Tilbury Port

 

[boatone]

Looks like all it needs is lock gates to become a useable mini marina. How many boats do you reckon it would take?

How much water is there when the tide is in?

 

[apollo]

East coast is littered with places like this. I cannot believe that no marina has been built in Queenborough as well although there is another scheme in the planning stage (again)

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

Looks like all it needs is lock gates to become a useable mini marina. How many boats do you reckon it would take?

How much water is there when the tide is in?

Automatic flap gate set for half tide or accept mud berths and put in a a wave barrier would be the logical choices. Depending on size and moorring method good for a fair number of boats, its 75m x 25m or thereabouts if memory serves and usefully placed between London and the Medway, East Coast or Channel. Doug's been in there in a sea kayak a few times, may be 5' or so round HW. Mother in law recalls it as a working wharf when it was dredged rather deeper than now. There's a good pub withing easy walking distance as well.

Nice little venture for someone with the capital and contacts to set it up, we've always wondered why that didn't happen in the first place, given that the development is under 10 years old.

 

[Bassplayer]

Perhaps a good opportunity?

Sounds like an opportunity for the forum people to get organised with a limited co. and a share issue to do this? OK Who is going to organise this? There must be enough legal / developer types on here? Oh I will put my money where my mouth is for sure if it happens

 

[MiskinDriver]

development opportunity

I'm in if someone can put it together