NEWS of work beginning on a multimillion quayside improvement project has been welcomed by a fishermen's representative.
Andy Alcock, vice secretary to the Fishermen's Association, said the £3.79m worth of improvements at Weymouth quayside will be "brilliant" but added a note of caution, saying "if it is done right".
He added that the works would 'do a lot to maintain Weymouth's status as a commercial port'.
Work on the quayside regeneration scheme to help 'kickstart Weymouth’s waterside economy' is to get underway on Monday, October 16.
It will create new facilities for fishing, charter and harbourside businesses and improve public spaces in this part of the harbour.
A new fish landing quay, a fuel pontoon and new compound areas for storing harbour and fishers’ materials - including an ice-making facility and refrigerated chilled catch store - will be created in the currently disused area of the harbour behind Weymouth Pavilion.
Pedestrianised access and seating areas will be created along the quayside eventually joining with other walkways linking the harbour with Weymouth’s award-winning beach.
It is hoped that the improvements, to be completed by the spring, will encourage start-up businesses to base themselves in Weymouth.
Andy Alcock is a Weymouth fisherman and sits on the Harbour Consultative Group representing the commercial sector.
He and other fishermen have called for the development of the site for more than 15 years.
He said: "It will be brilliant for the harbour if it is done right.
"It has been a long time in the making but it can only be good for us.
"They are hoping to complete the works in spring or early summer and that would be fantastic.
"It would do a lot to maintain Weymouth's status as a commercial port."
The improvements are thanks to a grant of £3.79m which was awarded to the then Weymouth & Portland Borough Council, in partnership with Weymouth Area Development Trust, in March 2019 from the Government’s Coastal Communities Fund.
The bid was submitted on behalf of the Weymouth Coastal Community Team.
The pavilion and car park on the peninsula will not be affected by the developments.
Councillor Ray Bryan, Dorset Council portfolio holder for Dorset Council, said: “Between this brownfield site development and the various Levelling Up projects, Dorset Council is investing many millions in Weymouth right now.
"We are committed to kickstarting Weymouth’s waterside economy, and this scheme is just one part of that commitment coming to fruition.
“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.
“Along with ongoing work at the other end of the harbour at North Quay, this scheme will even further enhance the successful public realm improvements we completed in 2021 at Custom House Quay.
"We are sure that together, these regeneration schemes will bring long-term benefits to residents, businesses and visitors to Weymouth.”
The Weymouth Harbour team will be producing regular updates throughout the duration of the work.
Visit www.weymouth-harbour.co.uk for more information as the scheme progresses.
Work is scheduled to take around 25 weeks, with a view to being completed in spring 2024.
No public access will be permitted at this part of the harbour throughout the course of the work.
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