Work set to begin to instal long-awaited new pontoons at Findochty
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THE much delayed work to replace the pontoons in Findochty Harbour is finally set to start this week.
Moray Council is investing £560,000 in the project which, it is hoped will see the harbour fully operational again during the course of next month.
The move comes nearly two years after many local owners last craned their boats out of the water and onto the pier.
Councillor Gordon Cowie (Buckie, Independent) said: "It's a relief that the pontoons have finally arrived and now they can get on with the job of putting them together and getting them in the water."
Complaints have been made for several years by boat owners that the old pontoons were sub-standard.
They were eventually closed last year on the grounds of health and safety following a storm.
In February of this year, they were stripped away.
The initial hope was that work would begin on May 17 to instal new replacements that would allow at least 90 boats to use the harbour over this summer.
However, that hope was dashed due to delays in obtaining a marine license from Marine Scotland.
These delays are said to have been associated with the pandemic.
As a result Moray Council announced, in July, that it was waiving its harbour fees at Findochty.
Councillor Sonya Warren (Buckie, SNP) said: "It's good to see the work on the replacement pontoons progressing at last.
"This is a significant investment of £560,000 by the council to replace a very well used and necessary asset.
"The harbour users and the local community have to be thanked for their patience and understanding during the works.
"Hopefully the end result will be worth the inconvenience and upset.
"Covid restrictions, licensing regulations and haulage issues have certainly not helped the speed of this project, along with several other snags.
"Officers have been working hard to keep this project on track and the harbour community informed.
"At the last Harbour Advisory meeting we were given the projection for the end of September for the completion of the project and aiming to have the harbour back being fully operational during October.
"The frustrations of the harbour users are understandable as most have been unable to use their boats at all this year.
"The council quite rightly agreed to waive any berthing fees for this year.
"I'm looking forward to seeing the end result of these works and see the harbour restored to its usual beautiful, busy centre of the village."
Councillor Tim Eagle added: "I am delighted to see progression of the Findochty pontoons as they turned up in the village last week, the harbour users have been so desperate to see the new pontoons installed so once again boats can return to the water.
"It is vital the council continue to talk with the community and we ensure the installation moves forward as quickly as possible."
"Once finished this project will bring an amazing new lease of life to Findochty Harbour which I look forward to seeing."
Prior to the installation phase, the harbour was dredged using land-based diggers and lorries, with the material gathered taken away by Moray Council's dredger Selkie.
The new pontoons are designed to provide at least 90 berths and accommodate vessels up to 10m in length. Undertaking the work are contractors Strath Civil Engineering.
