Newquay Harbour is set to benefit from a government grant of £32,728 to Restormel Borough Council in order to improve access and facilities for fishermen.

The grant application was put together through a partnership arrangement with the South West PESCA Ltd office with the help of their Objective 1 Fisheries Programme Manager Alison Elvey.

The improvement works will include:

Surfacing of the jetty, the installation of Security lighting on the jetty, new fixed access ladders and the provision of a new crane on the South Quay.

Cllr Craig Bryant, Cabinet portfolio holder for Tourism and Leisure said, "This is good news indeed! We are extremely pleased that out application has been successful.  Without the grant, it would have taken several years to realise all of the improvements now made possible.  Newquay Harbour is an important economic resource and tourism attraction and warrants proper support."

Local fishermen have been campaigning for the improvements for some time.  The Council recognised the need and embarked on an exercise to try to source funding to enable the scheme to proceed sooner rather than later and to avoid needing to wait for the availability of all the money from the Council's resources.  The Council is to contribute £10,909 to the total project cost of £43,637.

Restormel Borough Council's Engineers are finalising arrangements with ther various contractors who will be carrying out the work, and it is intended that the scheme will be completed by the end of September. 

Andy Cook, the engineer in charge of the work said "Although we shall be carrying out the work at a busy time of the year for the Harbour, an early start will ensure the improved facilities are in place as soon as possible.  The works themselves are likely to generate public interest, although it is inevitable that some inconvenience will be caused to users and visitors.  Plans are in place to keep this to an absolute minimum."

Alison Elvey, Objective 1 Fisheries Programme Manager, stated, "There is more money in the pot for Harbour improvements which will benefit fishermen.  It is great to see Newquay benefit from the funding and I hope other ports will follow Newquay's example and bid for improvements to facilities to help fishermen's working conditions and improve fish quality."