£3M BEAST OF A BILL

Council reveals full cost of winter storm damage

Work to repair Sunderland’s piers and coastal defences following damage caused by the recent Beast from the East storm could cost more than £3million.

The city council's cabinet is set to meet next week and will hear how repairs are needed at the Old North Pier, New South Pier and Stonehill Wall following recent extreme storms.

The repairs are being estimated at costing approximately £3.1million with costs being met from the council's capital budget.

A report prepared for the cabinet meeting, outlines how "significant damage" was caused to Sunderland’s coastal defences by the storms.

An announcement on the damage to Roker Pier, which saw railings ripped off but unlike the others did not experience structural damage, is expected soon.

Les Clark, the council's chief operating officer, said: "Severe storms during March had a major impact on several important coastal structures.

"The cabinet is looking at repairs that should prevent the damage getting worse and therefore reduce the risk of mounting costs in the future.

"The repairs are also about continuing to protect properties behind the beach at Marine Walk, as well as preventing the beach itself being eroded, and maintaining access for ships into the Port of Sunderland."

Neither the Stonehill Wall or the New South Pier, which both date from circa 1900, are listed structures.

All the works are expected to take between eight and 20 weeks to complete and, subject to contractor availability, could all run at the same time.

Subject to the cabinet decision, the council plans to start the works as soon as possible. The cabinet is set to meet on Wednesday, April 25.