THE Environment Agency (EA) has secured funds to carry out improvement works to upgrade the Harbour of Rye’s moorings.

The project will replace the old chain moorings with modern pontoon moorings.

The proposed cost of the project is £228,000, of which £112,000 will come from a grant secured from the European Fisheries Fund and the remainder will be supplied by the EA.

James Bateman, Harbourmaster at the Harbour of Rye, said: “The activity at the Harbour of Rye is vital to the local economy, and supports more than 150 jobs in the local area, so the Environment Agency saw this improvement programme as a crucial investment in the future of the harbour, the town, and the local economy.”

Work will begin this autumn and is expected to be completed by March 2015.