Report — St David’s is the best option for new docks

The idea of relocating the docks out of Hamilton has been discussed for the past two decades.

And in 2008 the Government commissioned a report to look into what options were available.

The draft report by Bermello Ajamit & Partners, Inc was not officially released to the public.

But the Bermuda Sun was able to gain access to a copy of the 76-page document in which experts assessed five different potential locations including three on the North Shore, Morgan’s Point and Marginal Wharf in St David’s.

The report scored each location according to matrix of cost, current site use, access, social impacts and other considerations to determine the preferred alternative. The Marginal Wharf site in St David’s was seen as the most favourable.

The report stated: “This is a site that provides safe marine access and berth; is close to the main entrance channel, has an existing upland area conducive to the industrial development of a cargo facility, has minimal impacts on surrounding land uses and has existing infrastructure which may be used for the development of adjacent warehousing centers and other light industrial uses.”

But the experts acknowledged that the East End location could have a potentially significant impact on the distribution chain in Bermuda.

The three North Shore sites of Black Watch, Tynes Bay and Ocean View were viewed as the least favourable for ‘some very obvious reasons’.

The report stated: “There are substantial costs in the development of reclamation sites along the North Shore inclusive or backfill, pier pile development breakwater and dredging.

“Second there are wind and wave impacts on the site.

“We can accommodate the potential wave threats to some degree, but the open layout may be problematic in high wind conditions.”

Environmental impacts

The report continues: “Further, there may be some environmental impacts on the surrounding marine areas due to the introduction of such a large landform that will imprede the current tidal flows and currents along the shoreline.

“Finally, these sites each have significant zoning and planning issues related to adjacent land-uses.

“They most certainly will have the highest impact on the surrounding residential, agricultural, woodlands, park and open space areas along the North Shore.”