New landing stage is hailed as major boost

CITY'S WATERFRONT SET TO BENEFIT FROM KEY PROJECT

- WILLIAM TELFORD

THERE will be more space for boats to pick up and land passengers on Plymouth's waterfront, after an extension was opened at the Barbican Landing Stage.

Cattewater Harbour Commissioners (CHC) has opened the Mayflower Pontoons, which will provide more than 60 metres of mooring space. The three new pontoons are connected to the Barbican Landing Stage (BLS), which was handed to CHC by Plymouth City Council last year in a cost-saving move.

The pontoons are equipped with shore power and mains water and will provide a passenger pick-up and drop-off area for charter vessels, and other small vessels, with prior arrangement via CHC.

Several charter vessels took part in a pilot in 2023, using the existing BLS with strict vessel traffic management in place which coordinated the pilot with existing stakeholders, including ferries and boat tours.

The new facility builds on the success of the pilot. Richard Allan, harbour master at CHC, said: "It is fantastic to see this aspiration of facilities for licensed charter vessels and recreational anglers at the BLS delivered for them.