White mess: storm's trail of destruction

These dramatic pictures show the full extent of the damage caused to Roker Pier by last week’s snowstorms.

Railings have been left bent, with some even washed into the sea after waves battered the historic Sunderland landmark.

The structure has recently undergone a revamp after storms damaged it in November 2016.

Gale force winds and huge waves washed more than 100 metres of railings into the sea together with the coping stones they were fixed into.

Back in 2012 Sunderland City Council announced plans to invest £1.35million in a rolling programme of restoration for the Grade IIlisted pier in February 2013.

Damage to the pier is set to be assessed soon so that repair work can be scheduled.

Council bosses said work on the entrance to the pier tunnel, which had being going on in tandem with the repairs, was entering its final stages at the end of last year.

They said it would allow public tours of the tunnel and lighthouse to begin in spring.

There was also significant damage at the North Pier, close to Sunderland Yacht Club, last week, and to Hendon Wall too.

Debris including dead sea life, driftwood and rubbish has all washed up on Roker and Seaburn beaches.

Sunderland City Council has said the clear-up operation will take place over the coming days after the promenade was breached several times by the sea over the last week.

Driftwood and any rubbish found on the walkway will be binned, with rocks, shells and seaweed to be returned to the beach.

Councillor Mel Speding, cabinet secretary, said: “The recent extreme weather conditions have caused inevitable structural damage around the country, particularly to more exposed coastal areas.

“Roker Pier has suffered storm damage which will be fully assessed once the heavy sea conditions allow, so repair work can be scheduled to begin once it becomes possible.

“What we have already established that is that small sections of the new railings have been bent or swept into the sea.

“Where possible those damaged will be salvaged, while the rest will be replaced as part of the ongoing restoration work.

“Roker Pier remains closed, and we would ask people to respect that to avoid putting their own lives or those of others at risk from the dangers caused by the heavy seas.”

“Roker Pierremains closed, and we would ask people to respect that” COUNMELSPEDING

Storm damage at Roker Pier, by Brian Prest, and, inset, Hendon Pier. Right, fire crews blast snowdrifts at Houghton Cut (picture from Ashley Corr) and debris at Roker promenade.

Storm damage at Roker Pier and debris after the storm over Roker beach and seafront.