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Sea defences need repairs
Alternate view of Sea wall area.113888a Picture Richard Ponter
HUNDREDS of properties in Scarborough’s North Bay could be at risk unless vital work is carried out to bolster the existing sea wall defences, it has been claimed.
A recent inspection revealed the need for “urgent” emergency work to be carried out to stabilise sections of the sea wall to prevent breaches of the defences.
Many large hotels and residential properties would be under threat if the wall failed. Scarborough Council’s Cabinet agreed to accept £87,000 from the Environment Agency for the project and will appoint consultants to investigate to best way to carry out the vital work.
Pauline Elliott, the council’s head of planning and regeneration, said: “The engineers’ report noted a large list of faults.
“About 295 properties have been identified at risk of possible loss behind the defences within the short term and medium term should the defences fail.”
She added: “Over the long term it is anticipated that further significant loss of property would occur.”
Some of the highlighted defects include displaced and fractured blockwork and erosion at the foundations of the defences.
She added: “Consequences of seawall failure for this area would include the loss of tourism, loss of infrastructure and the loss of environment including both historic and natural.”
Consultants are expected to be in place by the beginning of the year, with the report produced by the end of February, and a submission made to the Environment Agency next March – if further funding is secured then the matter will be presented to Cabinet next September.
Mrs Elliott said: “Scarborough North Bay has formed over many years through the cutting back of the high till coastal slopes between the Scalby Ness and Castle headlands.
“As a result of the very square natural shape of the bay it is exposed to an aggressive dominant north easterly wave direction.
“The age of the original hard defence structures, not included in the Castle Headland Coast Protection works in 2002, date to 1890. However, additions and improvements were made to various sections in the 1920s, 1950s and most recently the 1970s.
“Behind the defences are large dormant and locally active coastal slopes consisting of glacial till overlaying sand and mudstone.
“Immediately above the coastal slopes are situated many large historic hotels and residential properties, all potentially at risk should the wall fail.”
The general issues of sea defences and coastal erosion were brought into focus in June 1993 with the collapse of the Holbeck Hall Hotel.
Last year a new landslide caused the complete and permanent closure of a section of Scarborough’s Filey Road.
The landslip was near the Knipe Point residential estate, where three houses were demolished because of another destructive landslide in early-2008.
Two bungalows left teetering dangerously on the cliff edge were demolished later that month, followed by a third bungalow weeks later.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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Comments
There are 10 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
horace jonhson
Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at 05:32 PMJune 2010 09:48 IT was celebrations all round as North Bay's newest attraction opened its doors.........The new Oasis cafe in Royal Albert Drive opened yesterday following a two-year project to create the 400,000 eaterie..............Next to the popular former Oasis beach-side cafe now stands a two-storey modern building, complete with a balcony with scenic views, a children's play area and changing rooms for surfers.
horace jonhson
Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at 05:25 PMSo why did they build this if it is in such a vulnerable location?..... http:www.scarborougheveningnews.co.uknewslocaldoors_open_to_new_oasis_cafe_comment_on_this_story_1_1477761
amaroo
Tuesday, September 27, 2011 at 11:42 PMAs far as Scarborough is concerned the cliffs are unstable but not from the sea. Over the years we lost 'Monkey island', land slip behind the bungalows on the prom from the bulge to the 'Corner Cafe', in front of The Clifton, various pathways along Clarance Gardens, On the south side, the Holbeck Hall, various slippage to Knipe Point. If my memory serves well I thought there was a review of cliff stabilisation that had been put in place about 18 months ago to do exactly this ?. The sea did not cause any of these problems other than Monkey Island. The path as shown in the photograph has been like that all the way along since i was a lad.
amaroo
Tuesday, September 27, 2011 at 11:36 PMAs far as Scarborough is concerned the cliffs are unstable but not from the sea. Over the years we lost 'Monkey island', land slip behind the bungalows on the prom from the bulge to the 'Corner Cafe', in front of The Clifton, various pathways along Clarance gardens, On the south side, the Holbeck Hall, various slippage to Knipe Point. If my memory serves well I thought there was a review of cliff stabilisation that had been put in place about 18 months ago to do exactly this ?. The sea did not cause any of these problems other than Monkey Island.
smellykipper
Tuesday, September 27, 2011 at 08:36 PM£87000 for yet more consultants. Probably give it to High Point Rendell and no questions asked again. Nudge nudge.
tomwilliambrown
Tuesday, September 27, 2011 at 08:16 PMTom from Whitby, Sorry 'They' not 'There' but do not think of nibbling at SBC officers salaries of expenses.
tomwilliambrown
Tuesday, September 27, 2011 at 08:13 PMTom from Whitby says 'There will have to find the money from somewhere!' Ah don't.
heavensentmum
Tuesday, September 27, 2011 at 05:27 PMAnyone got a spare £35 million?
amethyst
Tuesday, September 27, 2011 at 12:26 PMMost recent improvements in the 1970's - says it all, really !!!
amethyst
Tuesday, September 27, 2011 at 12:22 PMMost of us could have told you that a long time ago !!! This has been eroding away for years. North Side of Scarborough is often forgotten about - take a look at the facilities available to North Side residents. Where is our park & ride ? Where is our large "chain" supermarket ? What few facilities we do have the council want to remove, for what ? oh yes, I forgot, more affordable housing !!! How much longer do we have to put up with the blot on the landscape that once was the rugby club ground ? ( I notice an extension was given for the health village) - crazy, this can remain derelict for so long while the council carry on ignoring their policies and destroy public facilities. Just who are they working for ?
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