Scheme to develop estuary

A landing stage would improve the lot of local fishermen

Run down facilities for fishermen and boat users on a mid Wales estuary will be vastly improved if a council's bid for European cash is successful.

On Tuesday, Ceredigion Council's cabinet is expected to approve a £960,000 bid for Objective 1 money to develop tourism and environmental projects on the Teifi estuary near Cardigan.

The £2,735,000 scheme will include three major visitor initiatives aimed at improving the regeneration of the area.

The first initiative will develop the estuary for boating by improving three slipways, provide some dredging of the Teifi, increase the number of moorings from 200 to 300 and build a new landing stage.

At the moment people using boats have to use tenders or wade out to their moorings

Alan Wilson, councillor

Another initiative will renovate Prince Charles' Quay and build a visitor management centre there.

"The visitor centre will form the focal point for visitors providing marketing opportunities and booking opportunities," said Garfield Williams, the council's assistant director of highways, properties and works.

Attractive experience

The third initiative will concentrate on encouraging more people to take part in environmental attractions.

One attraction already present near the estuary is the Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve, run by the West Wales Wildlife Trust, which has a growing otter population.

"The project includes the construction of a new office facility for trust staff with the intention of maximising the space available at the existing wildlife centre," added Mr Williams.

"This will extend the opportunities for providing a more attractive experience, in particular with regard to 'rainy day' activities."

The project also aims to help the Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve

Proposed work includes setting up cycling and walking trails as well as a bus service linking attractions within the Estuary Zone.

Alan Wilson, a Cardigan councillor, and chairman of the Teifi Estuary Environmental Management Initiative (TEEMI), said if the bid is successful it will improve facilities for everyone on the estuary.

"At the moment people using boats have to use tenders or wade out to their moorings," said Cllr Wilson.

The building of a landing stage could also mean the setting up of pleasure trips around the Cardigan coast.

"At the moment people who want to see Dolphins in the sea around Cardigan have to take a pleasure cruise from New Quay, 15 miles away," said Cllr Wilson.

Otters are now seen more often along the estuary

"The provision of a landing stage could provide an enterprising soul the opportunity of taking people out on boat trips.

"It will also make life easier for local fishermen to offload their catches.

"It really would provide the estuary with a new lease of life."

Already this year, the local authority has bought historic Cardigan Castle for an estimated £500,000 and aims to develop its visitor potential.

And a £15m project to develop the town centre Pwllhai site for a discount food outlet providing 150 new car parking spaces was announced in April.

A £6.9m project to renovate Theatr Mwldan is also under way.

These schemes are providing an economic boost to the town which was hit hard last year when 325 workers were made redundant by the Dewhirst clothes factory.