Vital work is underway to reinstate Workington’s weather-damaged breakwater in a bid to protect the coastline and keep shipping channels safe.
Fierce south westerly storms had breached the sea defences in two locations off the South Pier, blasting out concrete blocks onto the beach, and washing others into the Solway. This area of Workington Beach at the foot of the Derwent Howe and marks the start of the Sea to Sea (C2C), popularly known as the Coast to Coast.
Workington-based Stobbarts has been working with G&M Lawson to repair the defence structure, installed to shield the beach from high tides, currents, waves, and storm surges and is carrying out the works on behalf of the Cumberland Council-owned Port of Workington.
Repair of the second breach to the wall is due to start next month, weather permitting, following a delivery of larger rock armour to the south shore.
Stobbarts Director Ricky Fee said that the work was essential to remove obstructions from the channel and to protect the coastline were progressing well.
He added: “Failure to act would leave other parts of the breakwater more exposed to storms, potentially accelerating the damage.
“The approach of Storm Eowyn is a reminder of why this work is necessary and important.”
As part of the work, blocks dislodged by previous storms have been salvaged from the beach to fortify the gaps out beyond the pier and old coastguard station.
An extra 360 tonnes plus of rock armour has also been sourced from a Cumbrian quarry to repair other sections of the breakwater.
The concrete spine of the breakwater is around 140 metres (460ft) long, with blocks at the end stretching out for a further 30 metres (around 100ft).
