Littlehampton is a port and has a long history of fishing and freight.
However, the local authorities have decided to make all traditional river business too difficult and expensive to operate so that the pleasure boat industry can be encouraged. A new marina is envisaged which will mean...........yes, lots of new development on both sides of the river. Goldmine. I wonder if developers have been involved in bending local government thinking...hmmm.
In 2005, it was decided not to dredge the river mouth, because that would allow large freighters to enter and berth in Littlehampton. Whilst this may have been lucrative in its day, it pales into insignificance compared to pleasure boats in a shiny new marina. A silted up river mouth would still allow the “right kind” of vessel in to Littlehampton whilst effectively barring the uncouth stuff.
Now, if only they could get rid of those pesky fishermen......................
