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Assurances sought over access to Buckie quay


By Staff Reporter

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THE gates to Buckie's north quay will reopen after work on the structure is completed.

But anglers have been reminded the area is a working harbour and public access will be restricted from time to time for safety reasons.

The decision to restrict access to the end of the pier was taken after a woman died after falling into the water last August.

Engineering works which are underway prohibit access anyway. Around £500,000 is being spent repairing and strengthening the pier for years to come.

The major improvement project got underway last autumn, but was put on hold after two vessels made contact with the quay on entering the harbour.

Due to the deteriorating winter weather conditions, it was agreed to delay the improvements until spring. They are due to re-commence in May and should take between eight and nine weeks.

Transportation manager Nicola Moss said once the works are complete, the pier will be opened more routinely.

"However, I would remind people that whilst there is a historic public access that is used, it is a working harbour," she said.

"We have gates and we will close them off to public access as and when we feel that is necessary.

"We do know there are times when people have climbed over those gates.

"We have to balance what people want to do, in terms of fishing and what has historically been done as a leisure activity, with safe access and managing everyone's safety in the harbour."

The assurance was given after local councillors Sonya Warren and Gordon Cowie raised the issue as a report on marine safety was discussed by the council's economic development and infrastructure services committee this morning.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Cowie welcomed the assurances that, subject to weather conditions and other safety considerations, the gates will be opened

"I was pleased to get that assurance as there has always been fishing off the north quay in Buckie."

Within the report, an update was given on dredging activity in Moray's harbours.

Members welcomed news that Moray Council's £2.5 million dredger is now back in operation after a period of inactivity due to crewing issues.

Dredging was carried out in Buckie in the last week and, weather permitting, MV Selkie will travel westward to Burghead later this week.


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