Repairs to pier set for holiday season

Scarborough Council has announced it is planning to complete the emergency works on the historic East Pier extension at Whitby from now until the end of August.

But it insists the work will not hit tourism trade.

The project, which is being funded by a £1.42m Environment Agency grant first awarded in 2009, was first started last summer.

The council say it is necessary for the repair work to take place now because rough seas make the repair project considerably more difficult and expensive in winter.

Martin Lloyd, Scarborough Council’s structural engineer, said: “While we appreciate this work is being undertaken in the summer months, the disruption to residents, businesses and visitors will be minimal and the works are being carried out at this time to take advantage of the good weather and favourable sea conditions.

“If the works were to be delayed until the winter period they would take significantly longer and cost considerably more due to the inability to work in rough seas.”

In advance of the repairs, contractor Volker Stevin started preparations last week, including erecting site cabins and preparing the barge which will be used to provide a platform to carry out the works.

Studies have found the existing structure of the pier is undermined at its south west and south east corners with parts of it severely corroded.

The first stage, which was completed late last year, involved using concrete grout bags to help bolster the pier and installing a series of steel piles to minimise the risk of collapse.

The next work will include inserting pre-cast reinforced concrete panels.