The Department of Transport will carry out a series of surveys on the Alfred Pier in Port St Mary from 7th to 18th July.

Activities over this period will include a structural survey, an underwater survey and the drilling of approximately six boreholes. 

A topographical survey of the whole harbour area will also be carried out at the same time.

The work will be undertaken by specialist subcontractors and the Department’s own divers, on behalf of Birse Coastal. 

This Company was retained by the Department earlier this year to be part of a project team working up the harbour improvement scheme which will include a marina.

The members of the Consultation Group formed by the Department to assist with the development of this scheme have been advised of the work. 

They have also been invited to visit the Birse Coastal Team on site.

The outcome of the surveys will provide some of the essential information required to work up the initial development proposals for Port St Mary Harbour.

The Department intends to issue these proposals for public consultation in the Spring of 2010.

A date for the submission of a planning application has yet to be decided but it is expected to be scheduled for a period between late 2010 and early 2011, at which time a further round of consultation will be undertaken at that time.