ESSENTIAL upgrading at Arbroath Harbour which will cost £235,000 has come significantly closer with the news that Angus Council has been awarded £85,000 as part of the £9.3 million funding package from the European Fisheries Fund (EFF).
A number of harbour facilities require work, particularly since the demise of Arbroath Fisherman's Association.
The association previously arranged fuel storage and fuelling of boats, but Angus Council has had to take responsibility for this. Howe
ver, the facility failed two audits due to its poor condition. Repairs were not viable, and the tanks have been removed.
The council now proposes to install and operate a new fuel dispensing facility by April to comply with the Water Environment (Oil Storage) (Scotland ) Regs 2006. The new facility will be operated by the council's harbour staff allowing fishing and leisure boats to refuel at a central point within the harbour.
And new storage areas are proposed allowing harbour users to store larger pieces of equipment with their own secure areas.
The existing two toilets and showers in the fishmarket were originally installed for the use of the fisherman working out of the harbour and for the small number of visitors.
The council accepts that with the installation of the new pontoons and the vast increase in numbers of visitors, the existing facilities are not adequate. They are shared by fishermen who also use the area for both washing down and cleaning fish.
A separate crew room will be created in the fishmarket incorporating showers, toilets, laundry facilities and a sitting room for the use of leisure boat owners. The existing toilets and showers will be upgraded and refurbished and a fit-for-purpose crew room for fishermen will improve the facilities for them at the harbour.
The existing cold storage facility is a converted refrigeration lorry. There are doubts as to whether it is fit for purpose.
The council plans to install and operate a new purpose-built facility within the fishmarket. This would allow fishermen to store bait.
An ice machine will also be incorporated. At present ice is brought from Aberdeen but this machine will allow better storage of fish landed at Arbroath and promote greater usage of the facilities.
Arbroath councillor and chairman of the Arbroath Harbour Joint Consultative Committee Jim Millar said: "This funding announcement is excellent news and will allow us to carry out the works that harbour users have been asking for. The upgraded crew room and laundry facilities will help attract more leisure boat owners to come to Arbroath and see what we have to offer here."
