Storm-damaged pier to be repaired next year

A pier damaged during Storm Babet is to be repaired 18 months later.

Roker Pier was deemed unsafe and closed to the public after it was battered by extreme weather in October last year.

Sunderland City Council has now submitted a planning application to repair it but said work would not begin until April.

The delay is to avoid disturbing birds, including the ruddy turnstone, which nest along the structure, the council said.

The proposed work will include replacing corroded and missing steel components, repairing concrete and fixing the decking, railing and support structures.

Stainless steel and marine-grade concrete will be used to make sure the structure is weather-resistant, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

About £150,000 is expected to be spent replacing granite coping stones and another £50,000 on repairing the deck.

As Roker Pier is a Grade II listed structure, listed building consent is needed before works can start.

Public access to the pier will remain closed throughout the repairs.

Storm Babet caused damaged to two other piers along the North East coast, where wind and strong waves hit South Shield's lighthouse so hard its dome washed into the sea.

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