Council to spend £5.4million at Pwllheli harbour

Monday, 7 October 2024 22:58

By MônFM Newsroom

Hafan Pwllheli

Cyngor Gwynedd is pledging to spend £5.4 million on Pwllheli harbour over the next decade.

Part of the investment at Hafan Pwllheli will include dredging work to ensure sailing boats can still access the site.

Councillors agreed in July to adopt a ten-year assets plan to allow the local authority to invest in its "vital assets" and avoid the risk of failing to provide local services.

According to the council, Hafan Pwllheli brings in more than £3 million of economic benefit to the area each year and supports more than fifty full-time jobs.

Deputy council leader Nia Jeffreys said: "Without a doubt, spending to keep the provision up to the expected standard is value for money, and particularly important for the local economy in the Dwyfor area."

The number of annual customers using the Hafan has increased in the last five years - and according to staff, there's a 200-strong waiting list for a space while 94% of the outer harbour berths are full.

But the harbour mouth, channel and inner harbour at Hafan Pwllheli are sitting and filling up with mud as a result of natural processes and increased sedimentation.

More money will be spent on renovating the pontoons which have reached the end of their lifespan.

The council has warned that failing to invest in the harbour would have a significant economic impact on Pwllheli.

They cite examples of marinas elsewhere where boats have suffered significant damage during storms, because of deficiencies in resources.

Cllr Jeffreys added: "Hafan's main structures, namely the pontoons and poles, have passed their design lifespan and without this investment to maintain standards over the next ten years, there is a risk that we will not keep up with the market and customers would leave."

“This would be a devastating blow to the economy of the Pwllheli area with jobs that rely on the marine and wider visitor industry at risk."

A long-term strategy has also been drawn up for the marina - with consultants working alongside interested parties locally on regenerating the marina, harbour and North Quay area.

Cllr Jeffreys said: "The reality also is that Cyngor Gwynedd is making a profit from the marina – during 2023/24, £700,000 was raised. Generating income through fees is a key part of our financial strategy and protects vital services the people of Gwynedd rely on from being cut even further."

"We recognise the importance of harbours along the Gwynedd coast, which are important to local communities and the area's economy".

The scheme is being funded by the Welsh Government.

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