RESIDENTS and businesses are increasing pressure on Plymouth City Council to find cash to protect a crumbling waterfront harbour.

Sutton and Devonport Tory MP Oliver Colvile met businessmen and residents' group representatives to discuss the state of West Hoe Pier, which has large blocks falling off it.

Plymouth City Council wants the structure fixed but said it is short of cash.

It has applied to the Environment Agency for money, thought to be as much as £323,000, and is awaiting a decision, although it is fearful its application has been overlooked this year.

Mr Colvile discussed West Hoe Pier when he met Dr Simon Thurley, chief executive of English Heritage, at Westminster last month.

The MP said: "Residents want to see some action taken in the area. We need to make sure the local authority finds the money."

Mr Colvile said he wants to find out exactly how much it will cost to restore and protect the harbour.

He said he has supported the bid for Environment Agency cash, but if it is not forthcoming, or insufficient, then the city "needed to identify other pots of money", such as Heritage Lottery Fund grants.

Mr Colvile said he would support council moves to find other sources of funding.

"Residents want to see West Hoe harbour restored, I fully back them," he said.

Businesses also want something done. The issue was highlighted in The Herald a year ago when Barbican-based dive centre Aquanauts raised concerns.

And now Tam Macpherson, boss of Union Street's Clipper Inn, has called for action, saying: "Residents and business see the pier as a worthy project and once repaired it would be an attraction used by locals and visitors from land and sea.

"The quay, coastal walkway, park and tennis courts make the West Hoe a jewel in its own right and should see continued investment, not be allowed to crumble, rust and be simply fenced off or padlocked to be forgotten."

A council spokeswoman said: "We would like to see improvements to the West Hoe Pier but we have to prioritise how we spend council tax payers money.

"We are looking at different ways of getting funding which is why we put forward the pier as part of a wider Shoreline Management Plan as part of the Defra strategy for flood and coastal defence.

"Part of the plan included identifying areas for potential grant funding from the Environment Agency over the coming years.

"We understand, although this has not been formally confirmed, that this particular project has not been successful this year, although we believe others have.

"Once we have received official confirmation, we will be in a position to give more information."

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