GMS Responds To Gosport and Portsmouth’s Stronger Relationship

Letter sent to Portsmouth News:

 

Dear Editor

With an unseemly power struggle over devolution elsewhere in Hampshire, it is encouraging to see a constructive approach to sharing top council officials between Portsmouth and Gosport. It has great potential benefits for both and if successful, it makes a closer relationship between the two authorities a serious possibility.

For the maritime economy this could mean real progress: Portsmouth has the Naval Base, the Historic Dockyard and the International Port, while Gosport has a vast range of services and facilities, marinas and boatyards, for yachts and small commercial vessels. Both sides of the Harbour share a rich maritime heritage and in a half kilometre radius we have the UK’s top sailors of our time, Alex Thomson and Sir Ben Ainslie. Gosport Marine Scene has been successful in bringing maritime businesses and services together and we look forward to reaching out to colleagues across the Harbour.

If the MOD delivers on its promise to vacate the derelict area at Royal Clarence Yard, and with the advanced plans for redevelopment of the bus station, a waterfront we can all be proud of is within reach. This will truly be the jewel of the South Coast: joined-up administrations can capitalise on the assets on both sides of Portsmouth Harbour.

Yours sincerely

Peter Cardy

Secretary, Gosport Marine Scene