Sutton Bridge Marina extension is hoped to attract more visitors

It is hoped that a project which is aiming to improve Sutton Bridge Marina will attract more boaters to the area.

The plan is to extend Sutton Bridge’s floating pontoons thanks to the £679,000 which was awarded to the Sail The Wash project by the Coastal Communities fund last year.

The Sail The Wash initiative is hoping to promote The Wash, which is an area of outstanding natural beauty, to more water-based visitors.

West Norfolk Council is working with Fenland District Council and Lincolnshire County Council on this project.

Lincolnshire County Council’s principle officer for regeneration Simon Wright said the aim of the scheme is to attract more visitors to this area.

He said: “We have attracted through the Sail The Wash project coastal communities funding to further enhance and improve the facilities around The Wash to water based visitors.

“Our ultimate ambition is attract people from other areas to come to Sutton Bridge and use the facilities.

“What we would like to do now is is to make sure they are aware of the facilities in the village of Sutton Bridge so they can use the shops, cafes and visit the church.

“One thing we have which I am very aware of is a very good wildlife habitat and the Sir Peter Scott Lighthouse in Sutton Bridge. How we put that together as an offer for Sutton Bridge is what we need to be doing in the next phase of this.”

Fenland District Council, as the port authority, has applied to the Marine Management Organisation to extend the existing floating pontoons at Sutton Bridge with 56.8metre long by 2.5metre wide infill pontoon and a new 35metre long by 2.5metre wide pontoon extension.

Mr Wright said it is hoped work to extend the pontoons would start in September, if the licence is approved, but this could now be put back due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

He said: “We are hoping this will improve the offer and attract a wider diversity of visitors to the marina by providing a larger pontoons.”

The team will also be hoping to increase Sutton Bridge’s presence on the Sail the Wash website.

Mr Wright said: “We want to make sure The Wash as a whole is more prominent and attractive to visitors.”