Marina scheme to revamp town (From Barry And District News)

Marina scheme to revamp town

THE LONG-awaited demolition of the tanks on Number One Barry Dock will start early next year - leaving behind it land that is thought will be turned into a flourishing marina.

Associated British Ports' (ABP) South Wales director, John Copping, informed the Vale of Glamorgan MP John Smith of the news in a meeting in ABP's offices in Cardiff Bay last week.

Work will begin before the end of January 2005 and it is estimated that it should be completed by the end of May 2005.

There has been a tank farm on the dock since before the Second World War, but although the separate containers have been replaced individually several times over the last half-century, the rusted constructions have long been regarded as an eyesore. They both block the view for residents living on Barry Island and are an ugly blot on the landscape of the developing Waterfront complex.

John Smith MP said: "This is absolutely fantastic news and I know that everybody who lives in Barry will be delighted.

"It is no secret that I have been campaigning, along with many residents, for this to happen for years. Now with a date confirmed we can look forward to the opening up of Barry Island and the continued redevelopment of the Waterfront."

Although nothing has been confirmed by ABP or the Welsh Development Agency, who it is thought have made extensive studies of the land, it is believed that there are already exciting plans being drawn up in preparation of the completion.

Alongside new accommodation mirroring those already constructed on the opposite side of the dock, it is believed there will be a marina, larger than Penarth's, on the site. The whole area is set to be renamed South Quay and will reaffirm Barry's economic growth.