Following meetings in July and August between the Environment Agency and Sutton Harbour Group and harbour users, it is recognised that maintenance work to replace worn underwater lock gate cills and other key items must take place
According to a Sutton Harbour representative, these discussion also resulted in recognition that the scheduled £3 million maintenance needs to be put back to allow for more conversation about ways to mitigate impact.
Images: Sutton Harbour Group
No new date has been set, but the works will commence in 2023. Further engagement is now planned with working groups currently being established representing the fishing fleet and berth holders.
These groups will provide the opportunity to inform the project in finding an optimum time and supplemental alternative arrangements to facilitate the carrying out of the essential work.
Further feedback gained from the meetings to date will also be considered. The schedule for the working sessions and rescheduling of the stakeholder meetings previously announced will be published in due course.
The maintenance work involves replacing worn underwater lock gate cills, to ensure the locks can continue to reduce flood risk and provide commercial and amenity benefit to Plymouth. Funding for the works is allocated and the works must be completed no later than April 2024 to maintain the harbour’s integrity, reduce any risks of further damage from delaying the repairs, and provide essential flood protection.
