Barge bought for £1.4m being dismantled for scrap

Bristol City Council said costs to repair the barge "outweighed what its value would be if restored"

An abandoned barge that cost taxpayers £1.4m is being dismantled to be sold as scrap.

The 42m-long (137ft) Ebenhaezer was moored next to the sheds at Welsh Back in Bristol, impeding progress on the Boxhall development - a food, beer and music hall.

Bristol City Council bought the vessel in 2019 following 12 years of negotiations with its owner, to clear the way for the coveted harbourside development.

Since its purchase, the authority has not spent any money on its maintenance, and said costs to repair the barge now "outweighed what its value would be if restored". It said it therefore made the decision "to dismantle the barge to reuse and recycle its individual parts".

Building work on the Welsh Back buildings, historically used by merchants and tradesman, is now under way for the new Boxhall venue

In 2019, the council's Labour administration approved plans to buy the boat and its mooring after hearing the developer was threatening to pull out unless it was moved soon.

Council officers decided buying the Ebenhaezer, relocating it, and paying for legal and other associated costs was the most cost-effective way to break the impasse.

The council was accused of paying a "ransom" for the boat by opposition councillors.

Developers asked for the Ebenhaezer to be moved so that a floating seating area could be placed over the harbour

The barge is currently laid up in the Albion dry dock after Bristol City Council determined it was unsafe in December.

Councillor Andrew Brown, chair of the harbour committee, said: "The barge was moved to the Albion Dry Dock following the completion of surveys which concluded that it was no longer in a condition to safely remain moored in the floating harbour.

"Costs to repair the barge and make it good enough to travel safely on the water far outweighed what its value would be if restored to such a condition."

It is unclear where the components will go but the authority added there is no income expected from its scrapping.