'We need a Plan B' say furious fishermen

LIVELIHOODS AFFECTED BY BROKEN LOCK GATES

- By ALISON STEPHENSON

THE Plymouth fishing community is demanding a 'Plan B' to be put in place so their livelihoods are less affected should the lock gates at Sutton Harbour fail again as they did earlier this week.

As we reported yesterday, the gates - which also act as a flood defence - broke down on Monday leaving boats loaded with catch trapped outside the harbour and others inside unable to be put to sea.

They were opened again on Wednesday, around lunchtime, following repairs but local fishers claim problems with the gates are a regular occurrence.

The fishing community would like to see more support from the Environment Agency (EA) who maintain the lock and Sutton Harbour Holdings who operate it.

Their pleas are being backed by Plymouth City Council, which has written to the government to ask the EA to take a more proactive approach.

Council leader Tudor Evans (Lab, Ham) said Plymouth's fishing industry had enough challenges already without being further impacted by ongoing issues with the flood defence gates