Hundreds of leisure users and many local businesses are set to benefit from a recent agreement between Milford Haven Port and Pembrokeshire County Council regarding the provision of pontoons along the Milford Haven Waterway.

The Port stepped in following concern from Pembrokeshire County Council over the future of six of the Haven's pontoons; located at Dale, Gellyswick, Hazelbeach, Neyland, Hobbs Point and Burton.

The pontoons, owned and managed by Pembrokeshire County Council, are considered valuable marine infrastructure providing benefit to local leisure users as well as tourists. However, their upkeep is costly and possibly unsustainable in this economic climate.

The council's cabinet member for culture, sport and leisure, Clr. Elwyn Morse, said: "This is good news for those who use the Milford Haven Waterway for recreation and pleasure. The pontoons play an important role in the life of the Waterway and this agreement will secure their future. We look forward to a fruitful relationship with Milford Haven Port."

Under the new agreement, Pembrokeshire County Council will retain responsibility for the provision and maintenance of the pontoons, and Milford Haven Port Authority will provide funding that will secure the future of the existing pontoons for the next ten years.

Chief executive of Milford Haven Port, Alec Don said: "We're pleased that our investment in the pontoons has secured the medium term future of these valuable facilities which provide benefits to local leisure users, waterway communities, businesses and tourists.

"Milford Haven Port is committed to promoting Pembrokeshire as a whole. We're confident that marine-leisure can play a bigger role in the Pembrokeshire tourism economy and have demonstrated our commitment to developing this in a number of ways, including our ongoing investment programme at Milford Docks."