For five years, Simon van Ingen would like a permanent berth for his boat in Breda. And neighbor Marc Laurijssen has even been having a place in a place in the Mark or in the Singel for nine years. But on the waiting list of the municipality, nobody can do it for a long time. “Worthless and frustrating,” they think. Because there are at least twenty empty berths in front of the two Bredanaars.
Sailing with a boat over the canals in Breda is extremely popular. It probably explains that the demand for berths is considerably exceeding the supply and has therefore been a shortage for years. Something the municipality is struggling with and for which it is looking for new solutions.
However, so far little of it has come of that. A few years ago (decision 2021), twenty new berths were added between the Boeimeersingel and the Van Almondepad, but to the astonishment of the local residents, they are still completely empty.
“There are many berths for boats not occupied.”
“If you create places, they also assign them to people with a boat,” says Marc Laurijssen who lives near the mooring posts. “It is now at the end of May and there is nothing at all. And that has been the case for years. That is really crooked. I think the policy rattles on all sides.”
Breda has 320 berths for pleasure boats and the course is minimal. No permits are currently being issued and the waiting list (now with 100 people) is closed. On the website, the municipality announces that in 2025 it will again determine how the berths are distributed. But when that comes, it is still completely unclear.
“The policy on sailing in Breda is closely related to the Water Directive,” the municipality of Breda said. “The so -called WFD provides the obligation to have water quality and ecological quality in order. Sailing in the canals has an effect on this. It is currently investigating how much recreational pressure the canals can handle. When that is clear, policy can be written.”
“It is heavy when you see twenty empty berths in front of your door.”
“The twenty new berths between the Boeimeersingel and the Van Almondepad are not licensed for the same reason,” the municipality continues. “Extra boats give extra sailing movements, which has an effect on achieving the goals from the WFD.”
First construct and then investigate. The lack of clarity and syrupiness irritates the people who would like to have a berth. “I would like my boat in the water for five years,” says 18-year-old Simon van Ingen while heading over the Mark to the deserted lying posts. “But the municipality doesn’t want to help you with anything if you apple or call. They don’t do anything. It is heavy and frustrating if you have seen unoccupied berths in front of your door for the 1920s.”
“In addition to the empty places, you also see boats half under water.”
And there is more frustration. “If you do a round along the canals, you will see boats half under water in addition to empty spots,” says Marc. “They are not used, but the permit is kept occupied. Give them a warning three times and otherwise assign the permit to someone else.”
“The municipality should take a major check. See if people use their berths and also check whether they do not sublet. And otherwise double their rent or purchase the permit,” Simon adds. “Sunned boats are regularly maintained,” the municipality of Breda defends itself. “This depends on the capacity of boas on the water.”
Marc broke another deep sigh. “I have already been thinking about buying a rubber boat with a motor,” he says. “Blowing up and then putting it in my gate. But those things are very heavy, so I am not going to do that. It’s a berth or nothing. Why don’t they just think of some rotation system for the permits. Every five or ten years someone else or something. Anyway, the municipality just has to do something about it!”
