A popular breakwater pier could be closed to the public after 50 years by the end of the month as two local authorities discuss an estimated £350,000 repair bill.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and Warrenpoint Harbour Authority are “engaging” over a licence agreement that ends in days.
The Local Democracry Reporting Service understands that gates could soon be put up to close off the popular Warrenpoint breakwater pier, which has been open to the public for the last 50 years.
A spokesperson for WHA said: “The council has had the use of breakwater pier from Warrenpoint Harbour Authority for the public realm on a rent-free basis for almost 50 years.
“The council’s current licence arrangement is due to expire on 31 March 2026.
“We continue to engage with the council on the breakwater pier.”
Despite the LDRS contacting NMDDC (March 3) there has been no response from the council.
The Warrenpoint pier on the shores of Carlingford Lough presents a unique mooring point as the first sea access point to Northern Ireland from the south with nearby WHA the 2nd largest port in NI.
At the beginning of a LDRS investigation into the breakwater pier, the council’s economy, regeneration and tourism committee approved the removal of a mooring pontoon behind closed doors at a confidential meeting (19 Jan).
The local authority signed a contract in December 2021 to repair the pontoon close to WHA.
A floating walkway has also been in place for 50 years allowing access to the pier from the water for private boats and emergency services.
In open session the chamber agreed to progress access to the waters through the Shared Island project, which provides direct funding from the Irish government.
The LDRS has now seen documents shining light on the ongoing wrangle between NMDDC and WHA.
It can be revealed that the council’s recommendation is to renew the licence agreement for the breakwater, but only if WHA agrees to carry out the repairs to the pier.
A new cost for repairs and dredging of the pontoon is identified as being £75k and the cost of its removal up to £10k, which is the agreed responsibility of NMDDC.
The cost of repairs to the breakwater pier is estimated by one authority to be £350k, leading to a potential total bill of £425k if the council was to maintain both the pontoon and the pier.
The LDRS understands that WHA’s position is that the council is responsible for repairs to the pier under a licence agreement.
Corrosion and holes within a steel wall around the pier requires significant repairs with the pier acting as a defence wall to the rest of the harbour.
It is understood that the pier could be closed off with locked gates in a matter of days, due to WHA concerns over public insurance on the infrastructure.
The pier gains a high volume of footfall traffic all year round, but especially in the summer months as the local seaside economy bustles, though the upcoming sunny season could see the end of 50 years of pier views for the public.
