McInnes welcomes Macduff harbour repair plans

5.30.00pm GMT Thu 21st Feb 2008

Alison McInnes today welcomed Aberdeenshire Council's plans to start repairs at Macduff harbour, after a contract was awarded for the work.

Ms McInnes earlier wrote to the Council to voice constituents' concerns regarding severe disrepair at the end of the Lighthouse Pier.

Responding, the council's Head of Roads Ken Morrison agreed that work was urgent to "prevent further potentially catastrophic damage to the structure and the business of the harbour." He nevertheless reassured the North East MSP that the deterioration will be stopped as soon as possible.

McInnes, who is also the Liberal Democrat Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change spokesperson, welcomed the committee's decision to award the contract saying: "I am pleased that the council agrees with Macduff residents that the damage is unacceptable, and look forward to seeing the work completed later this year."

The council have blamed the damage on the action of the sea, and say the work will take approximately six weeks to complete at a total project cost of £112,000.

The contract has been awarded to Hunter Construction with work due to start at the end of March.

The visible deterioration in the pier affects the facing wall and capping beam.

Tenders were invited from contractors with the Council's Policy and Resources Committee awarding the contract today.

Remedial works proposed include the removal of the deck slab, installation of two anchor beams within the core of the pier, and the construction of a new reinforced concrete face and deck tied to these anchor beams.