Charlestown Harbour is the last open 18th Century Georgian harbour in the UK. It is of great local, national, and international importance and of high heritage significance, being a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Charlestown Harbour’s lockgate is the single most important element of the Harbour, linking the Harbour with the open waters of the Atlantic. The lockgate protects the Inner Harbour and the vessels moored therein from the elements and enables harbour operations all year round. In the summer months, it also protects the seasonal local businesses and enables safe public access, enabling Charlestown Harbour’s heritage and culture to be shared with everyone.
The lockgate was installed in 1971 and prior to current ownership, maintenance of the lockgate was lacking. Since current ownership (2018), the lockgate has undergone regular maintenance and repair, but sadly the historical damage was done. Additionally, in 2021, Storm Darcy caused significant damage to the lockgate. The lockgate regeneration project will enable the use of the lockgate for some 15 years plus.
The Inner Harbour is the heart of Charlestown, and the state of it has a direct impact on the local businesses and residents. The Harbour is the reason people visit Charlestown, and if it were to be devoid of water, and therefore ships, due to a non-functional lockgate, people would no longer visit. There is also the palpable risk of the collapse of the Inner Harbour walls, as the weight of water is core to holding the historic walls in place. The regeneration project is therefore crucial.
The project will benefit local residents, businesses and visitors (those that arrive by both land and sea). This unique heritage harbour will be protected and therefore still be enjoyed by all who use it and visit, making it an extremely worthwhile investment for the Shared Prosperity fund.
For more information please see: www.charlestownharbour.com
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