The £6m project to install a massive set of lock gates in Milford Haven, transforming the way that leisure boaters access and exit Milford Marina, is nearing completion. Since taking delivery of the 90 tonne gates in December, Port of Milford Haven engineers have been working with gate manufacturers, Ravestein, on a commissioning phase which involves further survey work to check the interface between the civil engineering works and the gates.

Tim Bownes, Engineering Director at the Port of Milford Haven, said:
“From an engineering point of view this has been a technically challenging but exciting project, since the introduction of a completely new set of lock gates is a rare occurrence in British docks. During commissioning and final surveys we have identified that the manufacturers need to make some small adjustments in order to ensure that the gates are a tight fit. However, this should only take a short period of time and we remain on track to be fully operational before the busy season. We want to say a huge thank you to all the dock and marina users and local residents who continue to patiently wait for works to be completed.”

The new gates will make Milford Marina one of the most accessible locked marinas anywhere in Britain and forms part of a wider investment programme planned for Milford Dock. It is evidence of the Port’s commitment to build Milford Haven’s reputation as a unique waterfront destination, boosting leisure and tourism business in the town.

The project to build new gates in the lock is part of Visit Wales' Coastal Tourism Project, part funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government, to encourage tourism along the Welsh coastline.

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