SOUTHAMPTON was last night labelled “greedy”, as a war of words broke out over the city’s bid to host cruise turnarounds.
The south coast city, the largest turnaround port in northern Europe, called on residents to sign a petition opposing Liverpool council’s plans to make the city’s terminal a “turnaround port” where cruises can start and end.
Click here to see our special mini-site about the Get On Board cruise liner campaign.
Just 960 of 240,000 Southampton residents – 0.4% – have so far backed the petition, called “Stop Liverpool using taxpayers' money to grow its cruise business”.
The council-backed drive was set up by the UK Cruise Port Alliance (UKCPA).
But Liverpool council leader Joe Anderson accused Southampton of “selfishly” wanting to retain its cruise turnarounds, annually worth £400m for the local economy.
He said: “I’ve written to [Southampton council leader] Royston Smith proposing a meeting where we can both put forward our concerns. That was 10 days ago, and I have heard nothing from them.
“They are scared of the debate, scared of the competition and scared of losing their monopoly.
“Southampton has 75% of this sector and the impact Liverpool would have on that would be fractional. What are Southampton afraid of? That people will have choice? They are being greedy.”
Southampton’s is demanding the repayment of all £17.8m of government and European grants set to fund the terminal, claiming the money should not be used for private enterprise.
A Department for Transport consultation, which closes on September 15, is considering Liverpool’s offer to pay back £5.3m of the public cash.
Cllr Smith said: “The Port of Southampton has positioned itself as the cruise capital of northern Europe by means of private investment. It has done it in a fair way. Liverpool must do likewise.”
Cllr Anderson has also asked the Government to supply details of funding supplied to Southampton to improve its infrastructure around the port.
He added: “It’s hypocrisy to cry foul when it is taxpayers’ money that has facilitated that.”
