Anne-Marie Trevelyan, MP for Berwick-upon-Tweed, has spoken of her delight that the Berwick Jetty project has been selected to receive funding from the Coastal Communities Fund, established to ensure vital projects in coastal towns gain Government support.
The Minister for Coastal Communities, Andrew Percy MP, chose Berwick as the location to announce a package of £20 million for coastal towns, £2 million of which will go to the Berwick project.
The project is led by Alan Irving, Berwick Harbour Master, who meets Anne-Marie regularly to keep her up-to-date with progress. The plans will secure the Tweed dock jetty and groyne, safeguarding the future of the port of Berwick and the 10 jobs presently supported there, with plans to create up to 70 more jobs once the project is completed.
Berwick presently provides port facilities to a range of local producers and employers, including Simpsons Malt. The future of the port had been under threat, as the Victorian jetty’s condition has deteriorated and now needs to be replaced to ensure the future of the port, and create additional capacity.
Anne-Marie said: “I am delighted that the Berwick Jetty project has secured Coastal Communities funding – it is thanks to the hard work of Alan Irving and his team, that their deserving application has been granted approval. This is a real boost for Berwick’s future and the town’s ability to attract investment and create jobs in the future. I would like to thank the Coastal Communities Minister, Andrew Percy MP, for allowing me to meet him to explain in person the benefits of this scheme and its importance to Berwick.”
The new jetty and groyne will enable the port to attract larger vessels and expand its ability to secure vital new contracts. The project is scheduled to begin next summer, and to be completed by September 2019.
Photos: Alan Irving (Berwick Harbour Master), Andy Richardson (Chairman of Harbour Commissioners), Minister Andrew Percy MP, Richard Simpson of Simpsons Malt who use the port regularly and Anne-Marie; the Minister being shown the plans the Government has agreed to fund.