Council admits to spending extra 20pc on landslide work

COUNCIL chiefs have admitted an overspend of nearly 20 per cent on a controversial coastal defence project to prevent landslides.

And with a number of businesses claiming compensation for significant losses they made as the 10-week project was undertaken in the height of the tourist season in Filey last summer, the spiralling costs are set to rise further still.

A report into the scheme to repair the town's seafront from damage caused by flooding says the work cost taxpayers 566,688 – instead of the 475,000 originally planned.

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The report, by Scarborough Borough Council's head of technical services John Riby, also acknowledges that compensation claims from several local businesses near the site are still being considered by council officers and he warns any pay-out will be added to the overall cost.

Councillor Mike Cockerill, who represents Filey on the Council and chairs the Filey flood working group, said four businesses including a caf, ice cream shop, donkey rides and beachwear shop, had all been significantly affected by the work on Martin's Ravine, which leads to the beach.

He said: "As far as the traders are concerned the summer months are their livelihoods and if there is a downturn in trade they are greatly affected.

"The work blocked off Martin's Ravine for the height of the summer season and, compared with other years, the businesses at the bottom were down in trade.

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"This was a very major project and when you are dealing with ground it is very hard to analyse what will happen.

"There was no way it would have been practical to do it outside of season.

"It is a very difficult balancing act and the businesses affected don't think they got the balance right."

The scheme had already proved controversial after a series of delays meant the project had to be pushed back until the busy summer season.

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Traders had called on the council to put the work back to the autumn to prevent a loss of trade.

However, Scarborough Council stressed that the scheme needed to be carried out ahead of the winter months when poor weather could delay the project even further, increasing the risk of major land slides and additional damage.