A Coastal Communities Fund application for the renovation of the wooden jetty at Aberystwyth to bring pleasure boat trips back to the seafront has been successful.
The wooden jetty on Aberystwyth Promenade has become unsafe for use by boats. The application and funding has been approved by the Coastal Communities Fund. This is Crown Estates Marine Assets money that is administered by the Big Lottery Fund on behalf of the Welsh Government.
The two year project aims to rejuvenate pleasure boat trip activity on Aberystwyth seafront. The project will enable an existing wooden jetty to be brought back into a serviceable condition, suitable for use by sightseeing boat trip operators.
Councillor Rhodri Evans, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Economy and Regeneration said, “The tourism unit has received casual enquiries over the last three years. These have been from potential boat operators and members of the public as to the possibility of boat trips being operated from the jetty for short sightseeing trips. Boat trips will take advantage of the very high pedestrian footfall on the Promenade and to add to the tourism offer. Congratulations to the Team on the hard work and successful application to the Big Lottery Fund. I look forward to seeing the start of the work soon.”
The work is expected to cost £76k in total including £4k match funding which has been identified from within existing Council budgets.
Sian Callaghan, Chair of the funding decisions committee commented, “We were really impressed with the ideas coming forward from Wales’ coastal communities, they have embraced this opportunity and come up with some great ideas which will not only create new jobs but also some wonderful new visitor attractions and products.”
The project will start on tendering the renovation work in an attempt to have the works completed by next season. The availability of boat trips from Aberystwyth will provide business growth opportunities for the boat trip operators and will enhance the visitor experience.
The decision contributes towards the Council’s Corporate Priorities of boosting the economy and promoting environmental and community resilience.
06/11/2018