South East England Development Agency (SEEDA)

Construction Company Appointed for East Cowes Apron Extension Works

13 December 2005

The South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) on behalf of its Cowes Waterfront partners (English Partnerships, the Isle of Wight Council and the Isle of Wight Economic Partnership) has appointed Mackley Construction as its chosen contractor to deliver plans for the extension of the Venture Quays site at East Cowes.

Established for over 75 years in the South East, and with offices in Southampton and Sussex, Mackley Construction was chosen for its extensive expertise in civil engineering, and for work on coastal and maritime operations. It has an excellent reputation for undertaking conventional and technically challenging projects and providing a complete and competitive service for development projects.

Mackley Construction's Director, Rod Peryer commented: "We are delighted to have been awarded this contract. We have made major improvements to many ports, harbours and marinas throughout the UK and we look forward to bringing this expertise to East Cowes."

The plans are to demolish the existing slipway and apron in front of the Venture Quays site, to make way for a new and extended, long-term facility that will be of benefit to businesses based at Venture Quays now and in the future. First to make use of the facilities will be Vestas Blades (UK) Ltd. It will provide improved wind turbine blade handling and docking facilities and storage for large wind turbine blades.

Mackleys will also construct a new quayside and hoist dock. The dock has been designed to accommodate the 'Bladerunner' barges, but will be capable of accommodating other vessels including mono-hulls with a draught of up to 4.5 metres. It will provide berthing and lift out facilities for most ocean racing berthing yachts competing in events such as the Vendee Globe, the Volvo Ocean Race and the Barcelona World Race.

SEEDA's Development Projects Director, Peter Cusdin, said: "The expansion of the apron at Venture Quays forms part of a wider objective of the Cowes Waterfront partners to regenerate East Cowes and to facilitate economic growth in the town. By providing improved and extended facilities at Venture Quays, new and existing marine businesses can benefit from these facilities to expand and develop their operations."

The Isle of Wight Economic Partnership's Managing Director, Mike King commented: "These facilities will really open up an exciting range of possibilities and opportunities for local businesses and for the area as a whole."

Work is expected to start mid December and be complete by the end of June 2006.

For more information about the Cowes Waterfront initiative visit the web site www.coweswaterfront.co.uk