Landmark pier to reopen after £6k storm repair bill
Works to repair damage to Roker Pier caused by Storm Arwen are due to be completed by the end of March, council chiefs have confirmed.
Sunderland City Council announcedthelandmarkwas closed to the public following the severe weather last year.
Thisaimedtoallowassessments to take place to look at the scale of damage and if repairs were needed.
Atameetingoffullcouncil, city leaders confirmed that a contractor had been engaged for the works, which will rack up a bill of nearly £6,000.
However, due to the specialist nature of the project, the scheme is not due to be completedforseveralmonths.
Labour councillor Paul Stewart, the local authority's cabinet secretary, told Wednesday’s meeting: “An inspection of the pier was carried out following Storm Arwen to assess the damage.
“The inspection identified that sections of the railings had been damaged or lost, meaning the pier had to be closed for safety.
“A local contractor has been engaged to carry out the necessaryrepairs,butthepost and railings required are cast iron and are not standard offthe-shelf items.
“Theyneedtobemanufactured to order, consequently they’re on an extended delivery and we’re expecting repairs to be completed by late March.” Cllr Stewart was responding to a question from Cllr Sam Johnston, Conservative representative for the St Peter's ward.
This included requests for the outcome of the council assessment of Roker Pier following Storm Arwen, the cost of any repairs and when residentscanexpectthelandmarktoreopenforpublicuse.
Cllr Johnston also asked whether “staffing issues” would continue at Roker Pier when the repair works are completeandthesitereopens.
The St Peter's ward councillor said: “Can the cabinet secretary assure me that the staffing issues that had required the pier to be closed, often at short notice, before Storm Arwen have now been resolvedandwon’tcontinueto be a problem when it reopens in late-March.”
Cabinet secretary Cllr Stewart said he did not have the information and would provide a written answer.
The total cost of repair works at Roker Pier to allow it to reopen to the public is expected to be £5,759.