Trinity Slipway, located between Trinity Buoystore and no. 60 Camperdown Terrace, has been open for use as a slipway for decades – until very recently.   The owner/occupier of 60 Camperdown Terrace has seen fit to block access from road to beach by locked bollard, claiming the slipway is his property.   This slipway has been open for public use for decades, and some current club members have used this facility for over 40 years.   The Slipway has always been considered an established right of way open to traffic for the launching and retrieval of craft.

In inclement situations, the much-used Mamhead Slipway can become unsafe for both launching and retrieval of craft, and alternative safe slipway access becomes necessary.   There are only three fall-back options when this occurs: Belshers Slipway, Imperial Slipway at the “Duckpond” – and Trinity Slipway.    Of these, Trinity offers the best and most consistent launch/retrieval, as this Slipway is the least exposed and can be used at a lower state of tide than Imperial Slip, moreso during times of high sand build-up at Belshers.    There is the additional safety factor that craft may be easily “walked” around Shelly at times of insufficient water depth to allow motor or sail.   Using Trinity at such times also reduces the risks associated with driving across Shelly Gut watercourse to access Imperial Slip.  There is the potential that if Trinity should not be available when needed could result in loss/damage to craft, and worse, to life and limb.

In order to protect this right of way, it is necessary to submit evidence of use to Devon County Council and establish historical use – the further back in time the better.

Don’t let this slipway get away.    By membership inaction over the last 10 years or so, both our Club and Exe Sailing Club have found that boating facilities have been squeezed to such an extent that the pips are beginning to squeak.   Palmed off with an inadequate repair to Mamhead Slipway, loss of car and trailer parking, loss of boat parking (all just to satisfy the Marina developers’ profits), the loss of this fundamental back-up slipway will really make the pips squeak.

Don’t leave it up to “the others” this time – we have to fight back or, in the end, lose it all.   We are all pretty well damned for assuming our local councillors (a joke ) or some other sucker with time on his hands would “do the necessary” to protect our interests while we blithely and selfishly carry on with our boating.  Or is it just plain laziness?    Do something NOW, or be prepared to lose another valuable boating facility.  

Click for DCC Evidence Form  (Side A / Side B)  

Click for Specimen Submission (Side A / Side B / Appendix)