Council acts over deteriorating resort front coastal defences

Councillors have given the green light to a multi-million pound project to transform Scarborough’s South Bay.

The plan has sparked controversy after its design was whittled down from six to two options while the current sea defences continue to crumble but at a meeting yesterday Scarborough Borough Council’s Cabinet agreed to prepare a business case for a rock armour scheme at the frontage of Scarborough Spa.

The £16.6m rock armour option, which has previously been recommended by the council’s environment and economy scrutiny committee, has been chosen ahead of a proposed £22m stepped concrete revetment.

Coun Andrew Backhouse, Cabinet portfolio holder for coastal and flood defences, said: “Contrary to some reports in the media, we are approaching the point when we can no longer just simply pursue a tactic of make do and mend.

“The sea defences are inadequate, wave overtopping is well beyond safe levels and will get worse and the effectiveness of these coastal defences continues to deteriorate.

“The council has scrutinised each option very carefully and a lot of time and effort has been spent by both scrutiny committee members and the Cabinet to find the best possible option to progress with this very important scheme.

“We are still in the early stages of this project, much more work, studies and ground investigations yet need to be undertaken before any works can commence.”

Cabinet members have also agreed to accept an Environment Agency grant of £290,000 to undertake ground investigations in the South Bay.