Scarborough Borough Council has approved a £1.8 million budget for essential repairs to the West Pier’s harbour wall. The aim is to extend the lifespan of the structure by addressing corrosion and reinforcing the steel sheet-piled wall along the harbour-facing section.
The council awarded the contract to Neom Engineering Limited, with the overall project estimated to cost £1.2 million. The additional £546,000 contingency accounts for potential unforeseen costs, including inflation and any issues beyond the contractor’s control. Internal staffing costs for the project are budgeted at £15,000.
The project is a critical move to ensure the harbour’s stability. Without these repairs, the structure could face significant deterioration under the pressure of water over the coming years. The council has emphasised its commitment to maintaining the harbour, despite the substantial investment involved. They believe the repairs will secure another decade of use.
Due to the harbour’s limited revenue-generating capacity, the project will be funded through borrowing from other council reserves, with repayment contingent on future revenue surpluses from the harbour. Interest will not be charged on the overdrawn balance, though the council may revisit this if harbour income increases significantly.
Once the repairs are complete, the ongoing maintenance will be managed through the existing harbour maintenance budget.
