Protect the public right of navigation on the Exe and stop the Port of Exeter Harbour Revision Order 2025.

Exeter City Council is applying for a new Harbour Revision Order that would dramatically expand the powers of the Harbour Authority over the Exe Estuary and Exeter Ship Canal.

 

If approved in its current form, the HRO would allow the Council to:

1. Introduce compulsory licences and charges for virtually all small craft

Kayaks, paddleboards, dinghies, canoes, rowing boats, safety boats, tenders, and even children’s training craft could be required to pay annual licence fees.

No fee structure or business plan has been published, so the community has no idea what these costs might be.

2. Issue new criminal offences and fines up to £2,500

Failure to comply with new local rules including not paying a future licence fee could become a criminal offence, not a civil matter.

This is unusually severe for a community waterway used by families, schools, clubs, and young people.

 

3. Seize or detain vessels for non-payment

The HRO gives the Harbour Master the authority to remove, seize, or detain boats, including small personal craft, if fees or rules are not met.

This is an extreme power, previously unheard of in this community.

 

4. Make new rules and charges at any time with minimal consultation

The order allows the Council to create or amend regulations, set charges, and delegate powers without requiring clear public oversight.

Once the HRO is in place, future fees and restrictions could expand indefinitely.

 

5. Undermine the centuries-old public right of navigation on the Exe

The Exe Estuary has been freely navigable for hundreds of years.

Nothing in this proposal guarantees that right will be preserved, and several powers directly conflict with it.

 

Why we oppose this

 

The Exe is a shared community space

Thousands of people use the river responsibly for sailing, rowing, kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming, fishing, and family recreation.

Local clubs, youth groups, schools, charities, rowing crews, and water safety organisations depend on affordable access to the estuary.

 

No transparency or justification

The Council has not provided:

• a business plan
• a financial breakdown
• a costed management proposal
• any clear evidence for why these drastic powers are needed
• or any explanation of how fees would be set or used

This makes it impossible for the public to understand or trust the scope of the changes.

 

Excessive, disproportionate enforcement powers

Seizing personal watercraft, issuing criminal charges, or imposing large fines on casual local paddlers is not a reasonable or proportionate response to normal estuary use.

Risk to accessibility and affordability

New annual charges could create financial barriers for families, young people, beginners, and low-income households.

This would reduce participation in healthy outdoor activity and damage the community’s connection to the river.

 

Potential damage to clubs and local businesses

Watersports centres, sailing clubs, rowing clubs, hire companies, and schools could face heavy costs and administrative burdens, threatening their ability to operate.

 

What we are calling for

We ask Exeter City Council and the Marine Management Organisation to:

1. Pause approval of the HRO until full, transparent public consultation takes place.

2. Publish a complete Port Business Plan and proposed fee structure for community review.

3. Remove disproportionate criminal penalties, seizure powers, and unlimited delegation clauses.

4. Guarantee explicit legal protection for the public right of navigation.

5. Refer the HRO to a Public Inquiry if community concerns are not addressed.

 

The Exe belongs to all of us

The Exe Estuary is a vital part of our community’s identity, recreation, wellbeing, and heritage.

Any changes that affect public access must be transparent, proportionate, and shaped by the people who use and care for the river every day.

 

This petition is a call for fairness, clarity, and protection of shared public rights - not for privilege, profit, or punitive control.