Southbay Civil Engineering is proud to announce the successful completion of essential repair works to the historic Roker Pier in Sunderland, following extensive damage caused by Storm Babet in October 2023.
Storm Babet’s waves tore away over 100 metres of railings and damaged decking at Roker Pier’s head, with the northern and eastern sections hit hardest. As a Grade II listed landmark since 1903, repairs required close heritage consultation and could only be safely completed in the summer months.
The £236,000 repair programme began in April in favourable weather and sea conditions. Working closely with Sunderland City Council, our team restored the pier’s structure while preserving its historic character.
The works involved:
- Installation of new coping stones and pavements, securely anchored into the existing structure
- Renewed the damaged fencing to the pier
- Concrete repairs across key structural areas
- Restoration of the decking, railing, and support elements
The pier gates were officially unlocked by Sunderland City Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Business, Councillor Kevin Johnston, who praised the quality of the work and the importance of the pier to the community:
“Very pleased to report that repairs are complete and, weather permitting, Roker Pier is now safe for the public to enjoy. It’s been a complex marine civil engineering job that could realistically only have been completed outside of the winter months. We’re all very proud of our pier and this has been another chapter in its long history.”
Councillor Johnston also confirmed the return of the popular pier tunnel tours, offering visitors the opportunity to explore the historic lifeboat tunnel beneath the structure.
Antony Ballantyne, Operations Director at Southbay Civil Engineering, said:
‘We are delighted to have been responsible for delivering a project that will ensure the public can safely access a structure of such regional importance.
Through working closely with the council and our supply chain we have ensured the grade II listed pier has been restored in accordance with planning requirements, and can continue to be enjoyed for many more generations to come’.
