£360k river pontoons plan to boost water sports
river-related activities, riverside council events and the mooring of visiting ships.
OnTuesday,theplanstook a step forward after cabinet launchedtheprocesstoaward acontractforthedesign,manufacture and installation of the riverside structures.
The project would see three metre wide ‘heavy-duty pontoons’ with provision for canoesaswellasnewelectricity and fresh water connections to Manor Quay.
A report, presented to councillors,statestwooptions are being considered.
The preferred option includes 110 metres worth of pontoons with two gangways to provide the “greatest benefitforfutureeventsandspace for moorings.”
If this is unaffordable, a second option includes 70 metres of pontoons with one gangway.
Cabinet member for EnvironmentandTransport,Coun Amy Wilson, said £360,000 has been earmarked for the project – an estimate based on temporary pontoons used at the 2018 Tall Ships event.
When completed, the University of Sunderland is expected to maintain the platformsunderaleaseagreement with the council.
Cabinet member for Communities and Culture, Coun John Kelly, added the plans wouldopenuparaftofleisure and potential commercial opportunities in the area.
“The river is a good asset to the city and both myself and CounWilsonhavehadnumerous group sessions with electedmembersinthatpartofthe area,” he said.
“TheTallShipsprovedthat our river is a fantastic asset and it proved that there was not only a regional and national but international audience that wanted to come and take part. The Riverside Festival which we did for the first time last year worked really well and has proved the need to have the infrastructure in place.”
City bosses hope to have pontoons up and running in time for the 2020 summer events programme.