Source: City of Plymouth
Repairs to fix the Mount Edgcumbe slipway will begin next week and the ferry will resume tomorrow (Saturday 26 October).
During a review of the slipway at Mount Edgcumbe, Plymouth City Council surveyors identified cracks that needed to be repaired. Whilst plans were being put in place to carry out the works, a further survey was carried out following the recent bad weather.
The surveyors found that the storms have caused further deterioration beneath the slipway, resulting in the main concrete walkway coming loose and collapsing in places.
Repairs are now urgent, so the slipway has been closed and repair works will commence from Monday 28 October. Works include removing and replacing loose stone work, reinforcing the propping of the concrete slab and filling in any voids or gaps. It is hoped that the repairs will take around eight weeks, but this will be dependent on the weather.
The Council has been working with the Cremyll Ferry to identify an alternative landing site. From Saturday 26 October, the ferry service will operate from the beach next to the slipway at low tide, rather than the slipway. Boats have been adapted to enable passengers to get on and off from the beach. Users are encouraged to take care when getting on and off the ferry.
Councillor Chris Penberthy, the Plymouth City Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for facilities management, said: “As the owner of the slipway at Mount Edgcumbe, we have been planning for some time to carry out repairs. Unfortunately, the situation became urgent earlier this week when we found further damage due to the recent storms.
“We closed the slipway straight away and worked with the ferry operator to put together an alternative plan to enable them to continue operate. I would like to thank them for their patience and support, particularly as they had to suspend their services for two days.
“We will work as fast as we can to repair the slipway, but obviously it is winter and the weather might impact how long it will take.”