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Company steps in to repair damaged public dock

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A crew from Crisson Construction lift a concrete form into place on the public dock at Evans Bay. Weather dependant the refurbishment of the decaying berth should be completed by the end of the week. (Photo by Mark Tatem)

Work is now underway to repair Evans Bay public dock just weeks after it was branded an “unsafe and embarrassing eyesore”.MP Charlie Swan hit out at Government for doing “absolutely nothing” to address the decay at the popular swimming, boating and fishing spot in his constituency of Southampton West Central.But private construction firm Crisson Construction has now stepped forward to carry out the work even though the dock is the property of the Ministry of Public Works.It is understood that the company is doing the work at its own expense after one of its barges hit the dock and damaged it.The public dock is expected to remain closed for several weeks as the company, which has not been named, rebuilds the structure with concrete and steel.Mr Swan, who was elected as a United Bermuda Party MP, says this is just the start of the work that needs to be carried out at the dock on Evans Bay Road.He said: “It’s a great gesture that this company is carrying out the work. It’s a very good corporate citizen, who occasionally uses the dock.“In these times of economic hardship we should be most thankful for such actions.“Along with residents, I am pleased to see that repairs have commenced so quickly.“Things are finally happening which is great as the residents have had to see the dock in such a state of disrepair for so long.”In a Royal Gazette story on November 16 Mr Swan said it was only a matter of time before someone got hurt, as there was a 25ft crack across the dock and the steps down to the water had crumbled.Mr Swan said he had first highlighted the “state of disrepair” at the dock about three years ago. He accused Government of being “dishonourable” as he thought something was going to be done when he showed former Public Works Minister Derrick Burgess the damage last year.However Mr Swan has now vowed to work with Public Works Minister Michael Weeks to see the work through to completion.Once the dock structure is repaired, Mr Swan wants the crumbling steps to be addressed. He is also calling for railings to be erected and lifebuoys and garbage cans to be put in place.Mr Swan said: “It’s great that the dock is being fixed up, this is a step in the right direction but the area needs a lot more work”.A spokesman for the Ministry of Public Works said: “Work is currently taking place to repair the dock at Evans Bay.“The work is being carried out by a private contractor at no cost to the taxpayer.“Work started the week of December 5 and is expected to last several weeks. For safety reasons the dock will be closed until the work is complete”.

Anderson Bencroft from Crisson Construction welds a brace to a concrete form before lifting it into place on the public dock at Evans Bay. Weather dependant the refurbishment of the decaying berth should be completed by the end of the week. (Photo by Mark Tatem)