Access road to Sletts pier in ‘dangerous condition’

FRESH concerns have been raised over the condition of the access to the Sletts pier in Lerwick.

A letter from local resident Ryan Leith highlighting the “dangerous condition” of the access road was discussed at a meeting of Lerwick Community Council in Monday night.

He said the rock armouring has been moved by numerous winter storms over the years.

The pier itself is effectively a flat section of rock which runs out into the sea, and in more recent times it has been used by swimmers.

There is access via steps from the Sletts footpath, as well as a track from the bottom of Sletts Road.

“The road surface is strewn with boulders and has large holes in it,” Leith wrote in his letter, which was also sent to Shetland Islands Council.

“At the pier sharp, corroded pieces of steel reinforcing mesh have been exposed from under the concrete.”

He questioned whether funding could be applied for through the recently established Crown Estate fund, which can provide grants of between £10,000 to £100,000.

It is administered by Shetland Islands Council and charities, community groups and voluntary organisations are among those which can apply.

The condition of the Sletts pier site has previously been raised at Lerwick Community Council meetings, with members feeling that the area has been neglected.

A quote for improvement work was previously received by the community council but at Monday’s meeting chairman Jim Anderson called for a refreshed estimate.

“It’s obviously not getting any better out there,” he said.