Boulogne slipway project approved
On November 7, 2019, the Communauté d'agglomération de Boulogne sur Mer voted in favor of a project to build a "boat launch". Evoked for some thirty years, this slipway will finally see the light of day. The local authority estimates the investment at around ?1 million. The project management contract should be published shortly. "We expect the project to be up and running within 18 months, provided there are no surprises and we work closely with the government," says Olivier Copin, who is in charge of the economy and the port sector at the Communauté d'agglomération du Boulonnais.
A study to select the best port site
As part of the Boulogne sur Mer boat descent project, the agglomeration has studied various scenarios. "As soon as the agglomeration took over responsibility for water sports in 2016, we launched a study looking at 7 sites. There's no ideal location, but the one we've chosen - a former industrial zone - makes it possible to set up the slipway and surrounding nautical activities. There's no lock to access it, and the area is protected, making it easy for yachtsmen to maneuver. The bare land surrounding the site makes it easy to create manoeuvring areas and parking spaces," explains Olivier Copin.
Developing boating in the Boulonnais area
The slipway is part of the local government's drive to strengthen the boating industry in Boulogne sur Mer. Other investments should follow. A dry port and careening area are planned near the inclined plane in a 2nd phase. The local authority is also keen to hear from yachting professionals who would like to set up business in the port. "The development of yachting is a priority for our elected representatives. The agglomeration community took over responsibility for yachting on January 1, 2016. After a 1st year of diagnosis, the 2nd year saw the improvement of the Napoleon basin and the addition of 96 extra berths. There are also other projects in the pipeline, such as the redevelopment of the outer harbor to welcome yachtsmen on stopover," concludes the head of the Boulonnais conurbation's economy department.
