Project to rescue historic quay

Millions to rescue fishing quay

A multimillion-pound project has been announced to rescue an ageing historic Tyneside fish quay.

The £5.7m scheme will ensure the future of the western Quay in North Shields as a base for the area's fishing fleet.

The quay, which is owned by the Port of Tyne, has suffered from decades of use by vessels and from tides and weather.

The cost will be shared between the European Fisheries Fund, North Tyneside Council, regeneration agency One North East and the Port of Tyne.

North Tyneside's elected mayor Linda Arkley said: "Western Quay is vital to the success of the local fishing industry and the future of North Shields Fish Quay.

"It is where the bigger fishing vessels berth and an integral part of the visitor experience to North Shields."

Alan Clarke, chief executive of One North East, added: "This project is essential for large-scale fishing to continue in north-east England, which currently supports around 1,200 regional jobs."

The work, to be project managed by the Port of Tyne, is due to start on 16 November.