Via http://www.cornishman.co.uk/Breach-repaired-sluice-gates-installed-Hayle...

Breach repaired and sluice gates installed at Hayle Harbour

New sluice gates were put into position at Hayle Harbour. From left Cornwall council leader John Pollard, Hayle mayor Graham Coad, councillor John Coombe and B&K project manager Simon Humphrey.

Cornwall councillors John Pollard and John Coombe joined Hayle mayor Graham Coad and mayor's consort Lizzie Coad to see the work completed at the breach in South Quay

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It was a memorable day in Hayle yesterday as repair work was completed to a section of the harbour wall and the first stage of reintroducing sluicing to the town got underway.

The last stones were put in place to repair the breach in South Quay wall which has lain derelict for decades.

Cornwall Councillors for Hayle John Pollard and John Coombe were joined by Hayle mayor Graham Coad to witness the completion of the work which was carried out by TMS Construction.

Stone recovered from other parts of the harbour has been used to ensure consistency in the appearance of the wall.

Mr Coad said: “The breach has been a disgrace for Hayle and to see it repaired at last is something that not just me but lots of people in Hayle have looked forward to. It does look authentic. The work is now complete ready to start the construction of the bridge.”

New sluice gates were also installed at the site which will be the first phase of restoring sluicing to the harbour.

The water control gates, a replica of the pair originally put in place in 1789, were lifted into position at Carnsew Basin.

The age-old practice of sluicing, to help reduce the build-up of sand and keep channels open, was discontinued in the second half of the 19th century.

The previous gates were used for more than 100 years before they fell into disrepair and were found buried below ground near Hayle Harbour office.

They now form part of a display on the King George V Memorial Walk.

Mr Coad who witnessed the gates being installed alongside daughter Lizzie, the mayor’s consort, yesterday afternoon, said it was an historic moment for the town.

“My father was a Harvey's employee when the last set of gates built by Gartrell Harvey and his team were installed. Now I am able to see the new gates installed with my ten-year-old daughter. All this we are doing now is for the next generation.

"Not having to dredge the harbour and sell the sand is a great thing for many people."