RDS and North Down Council has been praised for carrying out ‘timely’ structural repairs to the Victorian harbour at Burr Point.
The praise has come from Ballyhalbert resident, Dr Crosbie Smith who recently highlighted the condition of the historic harbour amid concerns for its future.
Dr Smith had contacted UUP councillor Pete Wray to highlight damage to the walls of the 1885 structure, which, if left unremedied, could have led to a collapse, as the full might of winter storms pound the concrete walls.
“I was gratified by the timely response from the council, after Pete Wray and myself highlighted the issue through the Chronicle,” said Dr Smith.
“A specialist repair team was on site within three weeks of the council being made aware of the problem, and two key areas of damage – one natural, at the pier head, and one caused by an abandoned trawler – have now been repaired.”
Now in daily use summer and winter by the Burr Point Buoys open sea swimming group, the harbour is set to become a tourism focal point as it hosts the most easterly point in Ireland.
The value and importance of the harbour isn’t lost on councillor Wray.
“Burr Point harbour is an area rich with historical value,” he said. “Today the harbour is busy with multiple user groups and is currently the focus of a feasibility study on a tourism project linking the four extreme compass points of Ireland, one of which is Burr Point.
“Having seen the pier damage first hand in July, I’m pleased to report that it has been remedied and I thank my council colleagues for acting so swiftly.”
