Council Installs New Aids to Navigation in Strangford Lough

Ards and North Down Borough Council (ANDBC) has upgraded Aids to Navigation (AtoN) in Strangford Lough as part of its commitment to develop safe navigation through the Borough's waters with the help of funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Four new routes are now in place in addition to a main arterial route through the Lough.

The Council is the Local Lighthouse Authority responsible for Aids to Navigation within its Borough. In March 2022, ANDBC worked collaboratively with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council to utilise the Northern Ireland Environment Agency's Challenge Fund to start the process of upgrading AtoNs.

Using this fund, a consultant was appointed to carry out navigational risk assessments and stakeholder engagement sessions to help devise a new system of navigation. After extensive engagement, the final report detailed that a single, lit, arterial route should be provided through the centre of the Lough.

The Council subsequently secured £80,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to implement the findings. This was a Communities & Place investment priority as part of the Council's 'creating positive outcomes for our communities and places' project. Following further engagement with the Royal Yachting Association and sailing clubs in the area, additional routes were identified to complement the main arterial route. These included Kircubbin to Whiterock, Whiterock to Ringhaddy, Rainey Island and Comber River.

The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Alistair Cathcart, said:

"This was a collaborative project that involved several organisations and invited engagement from a range of stakeholders to ensure it satisfied the needs of all those who use Strangford Lough. Feedback from sailing clubs has been very positive and the navigational aids will make the Lough safer for all those who use it. I am delighted that this project has been successfully realised at minimal cost to our ratepayers."

The new Aids to Navigation are in the process of being recognised by Commissions of Irish Lights and old AtoNs will be removed where practical.

Photo caption: The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Alistair Cathcart, visited Whiterock to see the Aids to Navigation. Pictured on the RIB are Mark Devlin (Commissioners of Irish Lights); Joseph Daly (Commissioners of Irish Lights); David Williams (Royal Yachting Association); Peter Niblock (Strangford Lough Yacht Club); Councillor Alistair Cathcart (Mayor of Ards and North Down); Peter McDowell (Kircubbin Sailing Club); Niall Clarke (Comber Cruising Club); Matt Dorman (Strangford Moorings); James Langford (Down Cruising Club); William Angus (Harbour Master). Image: Ian Pedlow