Breakwater upgrade a 'long-term' project

PLANS to strengthen the breakwater at South Gare near Redcar are a 'long-term piece of work', says PD Ports chief Frans Calje.

- By STUART ARNOLD Local democracy reporter

PLANS to strengthen the breakwater at South Gare near Redcar are a “long-term piece of work,” says PD Ports chief Frans Calje.

The Middlesbrough-based company is aiming to upgrade the man made structure, which has stood for more than 150 years, providing safe entry to the River Tees for thousands of vessels each year and withstanding the might of the North Sea.

A so-called 'screening opinion' was recently sought from Redcar and Cleveland Council on behalf of PD Ports, which acts as the statutory harbour authority for the River Tees and operates Teesport and the Port of Hartlepool.

Screening opinions are sought from local planning authorities in order to determine whether an environmental impact assessment may be needed for a project.

The breakwater was badly damaged during Storm Babet in October 2023 and, due to the effects of climate change, more storms of a similar severe nature are anticipated in the years to come.

PD Ports engineers, along with specialist contractors, have carried out in-depth surveys in order to study and map the breakwater, including below surface level, to understand its construction and the impact of huge waves on it.

A scheme is being drawn up to strengthen the structure by placing tonnes of high-density rocks around the base, to disperse the energy from the volume of water directly hitting it.