Seafront defence work now completed

The first stage in a project to update sea defences at the Port of Sunderland have been completed.

The £975,000 repair and improvement works at the Stonehill Wall have paused for a winter break and are due to resume again in March 2021 - part of Sunderland City Council’s management programme to protect the port and surrounding areas.

Stonehill was one of several city coastal structures damaged by the severe storms of 2018.

The work began this summer and includes a 600ft reinforced concrete deck and wavewall, new concrete copings, and a new access ramp to the foreshore.

Stonehill dates back to the early 1900s and was constructed as part of the New South Pier development as the port grew and expanded.

It is an integral part of the Sunderland sea defence frontage that protects the port, its businesses and infrastructure, and the new Enterprise Zone development on the East Shore.

Sunderland City Council's Cabinet Member for dynamic city, Cllr Rebecca Atkinson said: "Unless you're on the Port Estate or at sea, these defences at the Stonehill Wall are not fully visible to city residents.

"But by undertaking this work, we're helping to protect one of our city's key assets - the Port of Sunderland.

"Updating and investing in our assets and infrastructure are always among this city council's key priorities and that's is what we are doing here with these updates to the seawall."

Because of weather and sea conditions the works must now take a winter break and phase of the work will see copings and the southern ramp constructed.