North wharf improvements

A key part of Scarborough’s historic harbour is set to be reinforced to improve working operations for fishermen and goods vehicles.

The £140,000 scheme has been approved Scarborough Borough Council’s Cabinet after members were told that the work aims to strengthen the north wharf which was built nearly a century ago.

Chief executive Jim Dillon said the work is needed following a decision to restrict the weight limit of vehicles using the wharf to 3.5 tonnes.

In his report he wrote: “The restriction has compromised harbour operations and has resulted in a significant change to the way the harbour operates.

“Overall efficiency has been reduced with the capacity of the harbour to accommodate increases in vessel usage.”

Mr Dillon said users of the harbour, which dates back some 750 years, needed to unload direct from their vessels to refrigerated heavy goods vehicles.

Cllr Mike Cockerill said if the changes were not made users would go to rival ports.