Work on £4.2m pontoon begins

BOAT and ferry users have been warned to expect disruption as work starts on a £4.2m project to build a new pontoon at Mount Batten.

- By WILLIAM TELFORD

How the new Mount Batten Pontoon is expected to look

The new structure is needed after an investigation found the bridge to the old pontoon was in danger of falling apart and it was later closed.

Ferry services moved to the nearby watersports centre pontoon, which is now to be replaced, meaning there will be one pontoon serving the area.

The work is part of an ongoing upgrade of the Mount Batten Watersports and Activities Centre and designed to secure the long-term future of the Mount Batten Ferry and improve access to the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park.

Plymouth City Council said efforts are being made to keep upheaval to a minimum, but warned that for this phase of work to proceed safely, slipway and pontoon users should expect "temporary" disruption.

The phase includes the removal of the current pontoon and installation of a temporary replacement.