By Lisa Ramsden
Specialist engineers will not return to inspect the crumbling breakwater in Annalong for another four weeks, it has been revealed.
As the saga of the structure’s decline continues, the latest development has been met with deep dismay by councillors Glyn Hanna and Jill Truesdale. News that the breakwater, which also acts as a pier, will not be reassessed until 19 March was confirmed by both elected representatives at the weekend. The update was provided to them by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.
The briefing also touched on the storm damage caused last month to the northern quay at Newcastle Harbour. The marine engineers, who are based in England, have recommended that the council “not undertake any repair work until they complete the site condition inspection on 19 March,” the update stated.
In addition, it said those tasked with the project have advised that, “in the absence of an extreme storm event”, the breakwater is “unlikely to see any further failure of the structure in the near future”.
Councillor Hanna said that “we may all start praying for no more storms, as we are in the middle of February, which is storm season!”
Cllr Hanna, who has long been campaigning for the council to carry out repairs, as well as reinforcement to help prevent future damage, has previously said work should have been initiated well before now.
The briefing also outlined how the engineers have advised the council that “it appears as though” the latest damage has “occurred along pre-existing lines of significant cracking and the sea has lifted off sections that were effectively loose.” They also said they “have not identified any similar and significant fractures” from photographs and videos taken.
In the full story read what the engineers had to say about the Newcastle harbour.
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