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Dock transformation will create jobs
A multimillion-pound scheme to transform a historic dock into a marina is to start next week.
A ground-breaking ceremony will be held at Seaham's North Dock on Monday, heralding the start of a development, which promises to turn the town into a leisure and tourism magnet.
About 50 new jobs will be created as part of the Durham County Council-led plans, which feature workshops for up to 12 new businesses, including a cafe, and pontoons to be used to moor more than 70 boats.
Coun Alan Napier, deputy leader of the council, said: "Working in partnership with Seaham Harbour Dock Company and the Friends of North Dock Seaham, we have come up with a scheme that should bring significant economic benefits to the town.
"As well as creating new jobs and opening up a host of new business opportunities, the marina will further enhance Seaham's potential to attract visitors and investors.
"Access to the area will be restricted during the coming months but, hopefully, the results will be worth the temporary inconvenience."
County Durham-based construction firm Lumsden and Carroll has been appointed to carry out the work, which is due to be completed by May 2010.
The scheme, which will also include the installation of new dock gates to replace an original pair removed during the 1950s, is the second phase of the dock's redevelopment following its reopening to the public in 2005.
The harbour was built between 1828 and 1884 to ship coal from the East Durham coalfields.
When the last pits closed in the early 1990s, the port developed a niche market in handling bulk raw materials with operations concentrated in the South Dock, while the North Dock reinvented itself as a commercial fishing port.
The dock was closed to the public in the late 1990s, but it reopened after a campaign by residents and enabled sea anglers and small boat owners to return to the site once more.
The marina development is funded by One NorthEast through the County Durham Economic Partnership, Be Enterprising and the council.
It is one of a series of projects launched to regenerate the area.
Others include the Byron Place shopping centre, which is built on land freed up when Seaham Harbour Dock Company relocated a short distance up the coast, and the 19million St John's Square scheme, which will see a new health centre and multi-use building built in the town.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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