Emergency work completed to shore up harbour pier

The East Pier forms one half of Whitby Harbour, which is famous the world over as a north-facing harbour with its twin arms stretching out to sea overlooked by Whitby Abbey. When the east and west piers were built they did not offer enough shelter so two extensions were built, linked by bridges.

But the bridge to the east pier extension was removed years ago because of storm damage and the damaged, cut-off structure was dubbed the Leaning Tower of Whitby. Then a report last year revealed both piers were crumbling and buckling, leaving the landward end of the East Pier extension – the south-east corner – facing collapse

Scarborough Council secured a 1.42m grant from the Environment Agency for repairs over summer.

Yesterday the completion was announced of the first part of emergency works, involving inserting concrete grout bags to help bolster the pier and reduce the risk of collapse.

The contractors have also installed steel piles to prepare for the next stage when a series of pre-cast concrete panels will be installed and then encased with concrete.

Having minimised the risk of collapse, the council has agreed with the Environment Agency, to call a halt. A contractor will return to complete the remaining works next year, once better sea conditions return.

As reported by the Yorkshire Post, traders hit by the failure of Whitby's swing bridge over summer were dismayed by the 15 weeks of pier repairs starting in August, fearing it would be a further blow to the holiday season.

But council chiefs said despite the less than favourable sea conditions, the council has managed to undertake the emergency work with minimal impact on the Whitby economy.

Scarborough Council's Cabinet member for technical services, Andrew Backhouse, said: "It was absolutely vital to complete the first part of the works before the onset of the winter.

"I am delighted that we have managed to significantly reduce the risk of collapse of the pier with minimum disruption to the town."