New Milton Advertiser 22nd Jan 2021

Friday 22nd January 2021 · 7

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Clean up ‘neglected’ quay, council urged

Town skate park fenced o under lockdown rules

NEW Milton’s popular skate park has been closed off under national lockdown guidelines. Fencing was erected around the facility on the recreation ground, off Whitefield Road, after the ‘stay at home’ require- ment was announced earlier this month. The tennis courts, outdoor gym equipment and multi-use games area are also out of action. However, the green’s play park remains open for use af- ter the government announced such amenities could still be made available. Mark Jeffries, town council estates and facilities manag- er, said the park’s closure had been delayed by some initial confusion over the restrictions announced on 4th January. It was put in place after guidance was confirmed two days later by the official UK

skateboarding governing body, Skateboard GB, which had obtained clarification from the government. “This was certainly not a town council decision. This is part of the government restric- tions,” Mr Jeffries said. He pointed out the national guidance states that, away from skate parks, one-to-one skate- board training and individual skateboarding is still allowed. The first national lockdown imposed in March last year saw outdoor play parks also re- quired to shut, but this time the government has said they can remain open. Mr Jeffries stressed council workers inspect the play park and sanitise high-touch areas at least twice a day. He added: “As soon as the guidance changes and we can get the skate park safely opened again, we will.”

In light of the pandemic, the society also suggested that more space on pavements should be made available

CALLS have been made to ur- gently improve the appearance of Lymington’s “neglected” Town Quay. The Lymington Society has written to New Forest District Council describing the popular site as the community’s “jewel in the crown” and urging action to tackle dirty pavements, loose paving and weeds. It requested NFDC, which is the landowner, to make the repairs and also bring forward some of the £700,000 of planned improvements delayed by the pandemic to be in time for the tourist season starting in the spring. The request was backed by Lymington mayor Cllr Anne Cor- bridge who said: “Pending the outcome on the future develop- ment of the quay it needs to be tidied up and kept in good order. “It is looking a bit tired and needs a good clean-up.” As reported in the A&T, there BY ANTONELLA LAZZERI Unlikely plans for £700k revamp will happen until 2022 WORRIED villagers have de- manded to know when the rest of Milford’s sea defences will be repaired after the final rock was placed to finish the first stage of an emergency upgrade. Costing £1.8m, the project was started by New Forest Dis- trict Council last August to pro- tect seafront properties from erosion and storms, includ- ing the Grade II listed White House. It was prompted by a con- sultant’s report that warned a 270-metre section was fail- ing and around 50 properties were at “imminent risk” this winter. NFDC is doing the work in phases, first addressing a 180-metre section of the wall near Paddy’s Gap. Originally slated to cost £1.5m, that figure escalated to £1.8m after storm damage. The first part involved boost- ing the entire 180-metre section with a 9,000-tonne rock revet- ment made from extra strong Norwegian granite, and pro- tecting that with a smaller one of 3,000 tonnes following further storm damage to the seawall last autumn.

for food outlets to put out tables and chairs, perhaps in the car park, making it saf- er to congregate on the quay. It added: “Let

us try and think creatively to make the most of this im- portant area which is, after all, the jewel in the crown for the tourist attrac- tions of Lymington. “We hope that with the huge damage to the economy of the town because of the corona- virus, our local councils can work together to help create a welcoming, attractive area for the many tourists who come to Lymington and visit the quay area.” NFDC said is a statement that after receiving the soci- ety’s letter on Monday, it will consider its suggestions. It added: “We will do an in- spection of the area to iden- tify any minor improvement works that can be undertaken through our current mainte- nance budgets.”

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Lymington Town Quay in happier times and (inset) the mayor, Cllr Anne Corbridge

are ambitious plans to redevel- op the whole area with a new toilet and shower block with viewing platform above, plus reducing spaces in the car park to make a more inviting public space. But the Lymington Society said that as the improvements will likely not be completed un- til 2022 something needs to be

done to clean up the quay now. In its letter to NFDC, writ- ten by deputy chair Don Mac- Kenzie, it said there are “weeds growing around the benches, dirty stained paved areas need- ing a good power washdown, benches sanding down and var- nishing, loose cobblestones in the road and a general feeling of neglect”.

It added: “In addition to some TLC for the physical parts of the quay, might it not be possible to try and bring forward some of the ‘public realm’ improvements to try and create a much nicer ‘cafe cul- ture’ feel to the area now rath- er than delay those changes until the toilets are finished in 2022?”

Villagers want more as first sea wall fix finishes

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Steel sheets and girders have reinforced the failing seawall and repairs made to timber groynes on the beach to reduce the loss of shingle. Concerns remain among members of the Save Milford from the Sea group, however, which includes owners of Mil- ford seafront homes. It claimed on Facebook that by spending 10% more, NFDC could have protected 270 me- tres of the seafront, and ques- tioned whether enough rock had been used at the western end to give full protection. It said: “This section has yet to be tested by rough seas and a failure under storm conditions could lead to further cliff ero- sion and may even outflank the newly completed revetment. “Local residents are also very concerned about how long it will take to finish the job, including full protection of the last 40 metres, given that the NFDC and the Environmental Agency have advised that phases 2 and 3 of the project could take up to five years to complete.” NFDC’s cabinet member for the environment, Cllr Alison Hoare, said: “We have taken the

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The sea wall before and after the work (Pictures: NFDC)

urgent action needed to protect against further damage to this area that would undoubtedly have come about this winter, even though we do not have a statutory duty to do so or to fund.” The project was a massive logistical operation, as the con- tractor – Fordingbridge-based Earlcoate Construction and Plant Hire Ltd – had to con- struct an access road requiring over 3,000 tonnes of Portland rock, which was also used to boost the defences. There were also 16 barge de- liveries by sea putting 6,500 tonnes of rock on the beach. Before it can embark on phase 2, the council is waiting on a decision on over £250,000 of grant funding from the South- ern Regional Flood and Coastal Committee. If secured, NFDC will appoint a consultant and identify other finance streams.

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