Popular pleasure steamer sails through Newport for the first time in four years

The popular motor vessel, carrying around 250 sightseers, was pictured in Newport as it sailed past the Transporter Bridge.

The ship, which has returned to sailing for the first time since 2012 after a campaign raised more than £500,000, visited on Saturday during its sailing from Penarth to Clevedon.

The MV Balmoral, which is now owned by a local charity, started sailing again in June from Penarth and other Bristol Channel ports, and has a full timetable throughout the summer until September.

But during the ship’s sailing through Newport it was unable to stop in the area - and allow passengers to join or leave the pleasure steamer - as the berth was covered in silt.

Paul Doubler, a spokesman for the Balmoral, said they were delighted to be back in Newport, but hoped the driver could be dredged so next year they could stop and pick up local residents.

“We would very much like to be once again calling at Newport for the benefit of the residents of the city, but our berth on the River Usk has silted up and we sadly do not have the funds to pay for it to be dredged,” he said.

“However, it would be wonderful if something could be done for next year allowing us to call into Newport once again.”

Darren Walsh, flood risk manager for Natural Resources Wales, talked about the potential of dredging the river.

“If it would significantly reduce the risk of flooding to local homes and properties, we will sometimes dredge rivers," he said. "In these instances, it must be viable economically and not harm the environment.

“Dredging can erode river banks, creating a further build-up of silt which makes the problem worse rather than better.

“It is also expensive. With limited resources, our dredging work takes place where it will have the greatest benefit to reduce the risk of flooding to people and properties.”

For all details of MV Balmorals Bristol Channel cruises this summer go to www.whitefunnel.co.uk or Tel 0117325 6200