Arup wins Bridlington design contract

Funded by a £3.5 million Local Growth Fund grant, awarded by the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Enterprise Partnership, Arup has started work on this project which will result in the development of a design for the preferred concept, advice on potential funding sources, preparation of papers to support any statutory orders and consents and the development of tender documentation for the project’s construction. It is anticipated that this work will be completed in late 2018.

A preferred concept suggests retaining the commercial fishing fleet in the existing harbour and creating the marina in the proposed new harbour. Whilst maintaining the same footprint as the original outline in the Bridlington Area Action Plan this option has a number of benefits, including reducing the disruption to the fishing fleet, requiring a less substantial form of construction for the new outer pier, reducing the need for dredging the existing harbour and shortening the construction timescale.

Chris Wright, the chairman of Bridlington Harbour Commissioners, commented, “The appointment of Arup to produce a design concept for the Yorkshire Harbour and Marina is welcomed by the Bridlington Harbour Commissioners and we look forward to seeing them develop a design that meets the requirements of all parties involved. Working together with the council, we are seeing good progress being made in bringing this project forward and are now a stage nearer to seeing this come to fruition.”

David Dickson, chair of the Infrastructure Board from the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Enterprise Partnership (LEP), which directs investment in key sites and infrastructure to grow the local economy, said, ”The Yorkshire Harbour & Marina is a key project supporting economic growth along the Yorkshire Coast. The preparatory stage can now move forward without delay as result of investment through the Local Growth Fund, and the LEP is pleased to support the continued partnership which stands to bring this long awaited project to fruition.”

“Building on the success of Bridlington Harbour, which is the largest shellfish landing port in the UK, the impact on Bridlington’s economy, as a result of the Yorkshire Harbour & Marina project going ahead, is potentially transformational.”

Neville Long, who is the project director at Arup, commented, “We are delighted to have been appointed as master-planners and consulting engineers. The marina and harbour is a key driver in Bridlington’s regeneration and economic development so we are looking forward to taking this exciting project through to its next stages.”

By Dag Pike