Repairing Roker Pier

The grade II listed pier has been closed to the public for safety reasons since it was damaged by Storm Babet in October 2023.

Planning approval for repair works was granted in January this year. The £236,000 repair programme is timetabled to start on Thursday 24 April and scheduled to be complete by Thursday 31 July.

The City Council's Cabinet Member for Business, Regeneration and Housing, Councillor Kevin Johnston said: "We all know and recognise that Roker Pier is a key part of our seafront, our heritage and our sea defences for the city and the Port of Sunderland.

"The very heavy seas of Storm Babet washed away several sections of the deck near the lighthouse, railings were washed away, along with other sections of decking and coping stones.

"Most of this damage was to the northern and eastern facing sections of the pier and, of course, we have a duty to keep the public safe so we've kept the pier closed.

"Roker Pier and coastal structures all along the east coast suffered damage in Storm Babet. I'm pleased to confirm we are getting on with the repairs programme. This programme is a complex marine engineering job and, weather permitting, we look forward to seeing Roker Pier open again to the public by August."

Approximately 100 metres (more than 300ft) of railings were washed away in Storm Babet and as a Grade II listed structure the council has worked closely with heritage organisations on the repairs programme. The council has also had to be mindful of roosting and nesting seabirds.

The contractor for the repairs is North East-based Southbay Civil Engineering Limited, who are currently working on repairs to the River Tyne piers following damaged caused by Storm Babet. They previously worked on Roker Pier slab repairs in 2014.

Antony Ballantyne, Operations Director for Southbay Civil Engineering Limited, said: "As a local contractor, we are delighted to be involved in the delivery of a project that will retain one of the North East region's most iconic coastal structures.

"As a specialist marine contractor we are aware of the constant pressures such marine structures are under through events such as Storm Babet. Using our specialist experience together with that of our supply chain, we will ensure the aesthetic appearance of this grade II listed structure is maintained."