Construction of a new marina in St George will get under way next month, the Government has said.

David Burch, the Minister of Public Works, said that the long-awaited $4.1 million development will “contribute towards the economic revival in St George’s”.

In a statement, Lieutenant-Colonel Burch said: “I’m pleased by the progress of the preliminary work under way in the east end for the construction of the St George’s marina.

“We promised to advance this construction and that promise is being kept.

“There is no doubt that when this marina is completed, it will contribute towards the economic revival in St George’s, alongside the St Regis Hotel and several initiatives under way.

“This private-public project between the Corporation of St George and the developer is poised for substantive work to begin in August.

“Crisson Construction Ltd and D&J Construction Ltd, who are leading the operation, are currently using the nearby marginal wharf in St David’s as an off-site location for initial work.”

According to Mr Burch, the work includes the preparation of steel pipe sections, welding for piling and the preparation of materials and temporary plans for demolishing the existing dock at Ordnance Island.

Mr Burch added: “Other tasks include fabrication details and drawings for rebar orders for the precasting of concrete structures, which will be constructed at Marginal Wharf and transported to the dock and the pre-order of specialist materials.”

The redevelopment was unveiled by the Government last year as part of an economic stimulation package for the east end.

At that time, the Government said it would pay out $1.5 million in funding, with an additional $1.2 million being provided through the Unesco World Heritage Fund.

But Mr Burch confirmed this year that the cost of the project had escalated to $4.1 million, and that the completion deadline had been set back to the end of this year.

He told the House of Assembly in May: “The budgetary increase is significant and reflects both the current inflationary price cycle and the increase in construction work content of the project through design development.”