COUNCIL chiefs will ‘crack on’ to get Weymouth’s harbour walls fixed in order to ensure the long-term future of the ferry port.

Amid claims a lack of action on the crumbling quay had led to a ‘debacle’, Weymouth and Portland councillors committed to repairing the walls as quickly as possible to enable Condor Ferries to resume services in March.

They also called for consultant engineer Atkins to draw up a ferry terminal redevelopment plan to improve facilities.

It’s estimated to cost £2million to repair the walls but no costings have been done for a redevelopment. The council is being encouraged to look at what grants are available following suggestions it has been slow to investigate external funding for past projects.

Condor switched its services to Poole last month because of harbour damage.

Borough council chief executive David Clarke told the management committee yesterday the council was having regular discussions with Condor and indicated the company could invest in Wey-mouth in the long-term.

But he said future plans were dependant on councillors backing the recommendations to move forward.

Councillors backed them unanimously, including a move to spend £150,000 on design work for a harbour walls scheme.

Mr Clarke added: “We’d want a memo of understanding or a letter of confirmation to say Condor will come back if this council makes a commitment.”

London-based designer White Knight wants to redevelop the Pavilion peninsula and Jeff Heintz from the group urged councillors to consider improvements to the port within a master plan.

Harbour Management Board chairman Peter Farrell said: “As Monty Python said, always look on the bright side of life. The engineers have explained the situation and the solution.

“I’m confident Condor will be here in a year’s time.”

Coun Farrell is calling for a scrutiny review into the way the council has failed to maintain the harbour walls.

He said: “The public needs answers. This has been a debacle and we can’t sweep it under the carpet.

“As an ex-Sealink officer it breaks my heart to not see a ferry here this summer.”

Coun Peter Chapman said: “There’s been some criticism levelled at Atkins but I’ve been impressed by their analysis.

“They know how much the wall has moved to the millimetre. Now we need to crack on.

“The solution is at hand and we should grasp it. I see a silver lining.”

Officers are investigating sources of external funding to assist with the cost of repairing the wall and improving the port. One avenue is the government’s Coastal Communities Fund.

Coun Gill Taylor, who headed a review into grant applications, told the committee the council missed opportunities to tap into grants that could have improved the harbour walls as part of a sea defence scheme.

Importance of berth

AFTER the meeting the council’s environment director David Evans, pictured, said: “The ferry berth is of huge economic and employment significance to the borough so it is vitally important that the repairs are carried out as quickly as possible to provide Condor with a realistic chance of returning next summer.

“That said, there is also an opportunity here to bring about comprehensive improvements to the port area and at last provide a high quality gateway to Weymouth.

“Care will be taken to ensure the repair scheme aligns with the council’s long-term aspirations for the port.”