Latest news with #ElizabethDock
BBC News
7 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Maryport bridge sticking up 'like sore thumb' back in use
A broken footbridge which was "stuck up in the air like a sore thumb" for more than 18 months is back in use being structure at the Elizabeth Dock in Maryport, Cumbria, was designed to be raised to allow boats in and out of the harbour when water levels are it had been in an upright position since December 2023 with the town's harbour authority saying it could not meet the cost of having it financial support from Cumberland Council, contractor Forth Engineering was appointed in May and the crossing was back in use for last weekend's Taste of the Sea food festival. Council leader Mark Fryer, who previously told the BBC the crossing had been "stuck up in the air like a sore thumb", said there were "lessons to be learned about not looking after assets in a proper fashion".He revealed the repair work had a budget of £75,000 and additional funding would be needed to fix lighting around the harbour "which again has not been looked after properly". The bridge was built in 2007 and gifted to Maryport Harbour and Marina Ltd by what was then Cumbria County May this year the harbour organisation said a range of hydraulic and electrical issues had been identified but that the estimated costs were "significantly beyond" its financial the reopening, a spokesman warned "further essential maintenance work is ongoing"."This includes adjustments to the locking pin mechanism, barrier arms and the electrical control system."In relation to the area's lighting, he said: "All assets have a lifespan. Even with regular maintenance and inspection [they] still require substantial works at some point."He added harbour bosses were working with Cumberland Council's lighting department and awaiting a plan to install replacements, with the local authority "continuing to maintain all functional lights on our behalf". Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
15-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Fix in sight for Maryport dock's broken footbridge
Work to fix a broken footbridge that has been "stuck up like a sore thumb" for almost 18 months is expected to be completed within weeks, harbour chiefs structure, on the Elizabeth Dock at Maryport in Cumbria, was designed to be raised to allow boats in and out of the harbour when water levels are it has been in an upright position since December 2023 with the town's harbour authority previously saying it would leave it there due to the cost of maintaining organisation has announced it has received a "verbal offer" of financial support from Cumberland Council to pay for repairs and a contractor has been appointed. Council leader Mark Fryer said earlier this month: "It's been stuck up in the air like a sore thumb. It needs to come down."Describing the harbour as one of "the last pieces of the jigsaw" of the town's regeneration efforts, he said the broken bridge was having a significant impact and discouraging people from visiting businesses on the has now confirmed to the BBC that the local authority will provide funding for the repairs, although the final cost has yet to be determined. 'Positive developments' Commenting on the works, the harbour authority said it had received a "comprehensive report outlining a range of hydraulic and electrical issues".It added: "The estimated costs detailed in the report were significantly beyond the harbour's current financial capacity."However, we're pleased to report some positive developments. A verbal offer of financial support has been received to help fund the hydraulic repair work."Maryport Harbour has now issued an order for the works to commence, and Forth Engineering is aiming to complete the hydraulic repairs within the next month."The bridge was built in 2007 and gifted to Maryport Harbour and Marina Ltd by Cumbria County it broke, the harbour authority said it was unable to arrange repairs because it had "limited" income from marina berthing, commercial property and pitch fees from a caravan site, and that it had to "prioritise funds". Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
