Weymouth Harbour: Disused area to be revamped

The bid for funding was submitted on behalf of the Weymouth Coastal Community Team

New facilities for fishermen are being built on a disused area of a harbour in a bid to "kickstart" the waterside economy of a resort.

Work to renovate Weymouth Harbour's peninsula quayside includes a fish landing quay, a refrigerated store and an ice-making machine.

New seating areas and paths will also link the harbour with Weymouth beach.

The changes have been funded by a £3.79m grant from the government's Coastal Communities Fund.

The money will also pay for a fuel pontoon and new compound areas for storing harbour and fishers' materials.

The pavilion and car park on the peninsula will not be affected but there will be no public access to the developments while the work is taking place.

The work is expected to end next spring, with work taking about 25 weeks.

Ray Bryan, Dorset Council's portfolio holder, said the authority was committed to "kickstarting Weymouth's waterside economy".

He added: "Our harbour businesses contribute significantly to the local economy so we hope these changes will help us retain that talent in the town, as well as making it a more attractive place for start-up businesses to consider positioning themselves."

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