The Ministry of Works and Engineering has submitted plans for the repair of a collapsed rock face at Fort St. Catherine's in St. George's.

A spokesperson for the Ministry yesterday explained that a corner of the fort was damaged during Hurricane Gert in September. Part of the natural foreshore had collapsed, jeopardising the fort's existing stonework above it.

"Works and Engineering will stabilise the rock,'' he said. "Repairs will involve placing mass concrete to fill in the gaps. Then we will finish the surface with matching rock material.'' The spokesperson also said Works and Engineering will also make repairs on existing stone, some ten in all.

The project is proposed to start in two weeks and is estimated to be completed in approximately ten days.

Lance Furbert, Curator of Forts for the Parks Department, said: "The fort is currently closed and will remain so until the construction is complete.

"We will also upgrade exhibits. This has already begun and will continue during the construction.

"We're bringing in all new exhibits for the fort. There will be new mannequins, new audio, even the movie theatre will be improved.'' Mr. Furbert added: "We want to make sure we got it right. We want to get everything in place before we begin construction. "We are working closely with The Ministry of Works and Engineering and Planning to ensure that this happens within a reasonable space of time.'' He explained that St. George's Foundation wrote to UNESCO with a proposal to have Bermuda's forts included on the list of World Heritage sites.

"When we had the damage, we consulted with planning,'' Mr. Furbert said.

"Since we had proposed to UNESCO to have the fort added to the list of World Heritage sites they proposed that we consult with them on how to repair the damage.

"We have benefited from their experience. They are considering our proposal.

"Being that the fort is seldom closed, it has been a rare opportunity that we have had the fort to ourselves to work on and fix up.

Storm battered: Curator of Forts Lance Furbert inspected the damage at Fort St. Catherine's in the wake of Hurricane Gert in September. Crews from Works and Engineering will be moving in to repair the storm-battered foreshore and foundation work within the next few weeks.