Harbours Advisory Committee

25 September 2024

Flood & Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Engineering Update

For Review and Consultation

Cabinet Member and Portfolio:

Cllr J Andrews, Place Services

Local Councillor(s):

All

Executive Director:

Jan Britton, Executive Lead for Place

Report Author:	Matthew Penny

Job Title:	Service Manager Flood & Coastal Erosion Risk Management

Tel:	01305 252290

Email:	matthew.penny@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

Report Status: Public Choose an item.

Brief Summary:

The purpose of this report is to provide an update and consult with Harbours Committee on the Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) engineering activities being undertaken within all three Dorset Council Harbours.

Recommendation:

Review report and comment.

Reason for Recommendation:

Update and consult with Harbours Advisory Committee.

Report

Bridport Harbour (West Bay)

Dredging

Dredging for both West Bay and Lyme Regis are undertaken as a single dredging operation. Dredging operations were completed before the Easter weekend but upon receipt of the post-dredge survey at Bridport Harbour, it was discovered that the dredge depth had not been achieved as previously thought. The Coastal Risk Management team ensured that the contractor returned to complete dredging to an acceptable depth. This work was completed in July.

Inspections and Repairs

Defects identified are taken up in the Coastal Risk team’s maintenance and repairs work list. Repair works are prioritised as part of the overall repair needs, that are financed from the revenue budget.

Given revenue maintenance budget constraints, the Coastal Risk Team will need to be selective in doing repairs that are not urgent or a direct result of storm/weather damage; until the winter season and associated risks have passed. Health & Safety repairs will take priority within the current repair programme.

2024 scheduled inspections are due from September to December this year. A new Asset Management system will be implemented for this year's inspections

Harbour Wall A Works

Harbour Wall ‘A’ is showing signs of settlement which is being monitored by the Coastal Risk Management Team. The necessary work has been assessed and preliminary cost estimates for budget planning purposes have been done. Works are already included within the council capital programme and a business case to access the funding has been submitted and funding approved.

The Coastal Risk Management project team are exploring options to combine the Wall A and Wall B works into a single construction project, to make use of any efficiencies that can be translated into savings.

Harbour Wall B Stabilisation & Repair

Emergency works have been completed successfully and the project is continuing to develop and construct the main phase (II) of works. FCERM are considering the best and most cost-effective design options for the repair and refurbishment work to the harbour wall.

There is an opportunity to commence further interim stabilisation works earlier than the main works, which is an option being explored. In the meantime, monitoring continues and there is an emergency plan being developed in case of further substantial movement of the wall. However, there is still a risk of wall failure, in which case Phase II construction would have to commence earlier.

The project team has met with the kiosk owners during Phase I, together with colleagues from the councils Property team, to discuss the works and its impacts. This will continue during Phase II. We will also engage and inform the wider public about the project, through the engagement element built into planning process.

1.2	Lyme Regis Harbour

Dredging

Dredging for both West Bay and Lyme Regis are undertaken as a single dredging operation. Preparation is underway for next year’s operation.

Inspections and repairs

Defects identified are taken up in the Coastal Risk team’s maintenance and repairs work list. Repair works are therefore prioritised as part of the overall repair needs, that are financed from the revenue budget.

Given revenue maintenance budget constraints, the Coastal Risk Team will need to be selective in doing repairs that are not direct results of storm or weather damage; until the winter season and associated risks have passed. Health & Safety repairs will take priority within the current repair programme.

2024 scheduled inspections are due to take place during September to December this year. A new Asset Management system will be implemented for this year's inspections

The Cobb Repairs.

Following storm damage in March 2023, repairs have been undertaken and the structure is being monitored. To mitigate the risk of storm damage, an emergency response plan has been drafted and will be implemented if required. Currently, the structure is open to the public as usual.

A coastal risk management engineering inspection along the seaward base of the Cobb Buildings identified that the supporting wall was in poor condition. Specialist consultant/ Ramboll attended the site during the summer, recommendations include minor grout works and infilling of voids in the lower section of the seaward wall, alongside monitoring around the toilet block section. A local historic building conservator has been on site to assess the work and we are due to receive a quote soon, with works expected in October. The Council's FCERM Engineers and Property team are working together to manage this situation.

Lyme Regis Environmental Improvement Scheme Phase 5

Comprises of a civil engineering scheme to strengthen and stabilise The Cobb structure and deliver improvements to the utility services and surfaces. Currently, there is a funding shortfall to deliver the scheme as described within the approved outline business case (2022).

Engagement is ongoing with the public, stakeholders and commercial users, as well as design progress and licensing applications. Discussions with statutory consultees such as Historic England, Natural England and the Marine Management Organisation are underway.

The project team are currently progressing discussions with potential funders with the intent to close the funding gap. Design analysis is progressing with an intent to value-engineer the scheme and reduce its cost. Construction is scheduled to commence Winter 2025.

Key Milestones:

Task	Programme
Stakeholder engagement	Ongoing
Design Development	Feb 2023 – Spring 2024
Permits and Licences determination	Spring 2023 – Autumn 2025
Proposed Construction start	Winter 2025

1.3	Weymouth Harbour

Dredging

Nothing to note.

Inspections and repairs.

Defects identified are taken up in the Coastal Risk team’s maintenance and repairs work list. Repair works are therefore prioritised as part of the overall repair needs, that are financed from the revenue budget.

Given revenue maintenance budget constraints, the Coastal Risk Team will need to be selective in doing repairs that are not direct results of storm or weather damage; until the winter season and associated risks have passed. Health & Safety repairs will take priority within the current repair programme.

2024 scheduled inspections are due to take place during September to December this year. A new Asset Management system will be implemented for this year's inspections.

Stone Pier surfacing repairs have been completed. Small void repair to Stone Pier wall at the foreshore of shingle beach on Southern side could not be completed prior to the summer holidays. Repairs should now be completed by end of September, pending contractor availability. Replacement of missing grab rails and ladders will be discussed during/following this year’s inspections, as a boat will be required again. Wall 2, adjacent to the Nothe Café, missing block is awaiting funding from FCERM revenue budget before programming options, decision on this by December 2024.

Weymouth Flood & Coastal Erosion Risk Management Scheme Phase 1

Surface water optioneering commenced while the baseline modelling is being progressed. A surface water working group will be established with representation from all the relevant RMAs. Beach recession modelling commenced and will inform both the Esplanade optioneering and future Beach Management Plans. High-level viability review of the proposed tidal barrier is being finalised. Environmental investigations commenced which will consider BNG requirements and impacts.

Partnership Funding Strategy is under development to address the expected funding shortfall. Review of the appraisal approach and preferred design options are making progress.

The table below gives an overview of the current project programme.

Key Milestones:

Task	Programme
Stakeholder engagement	Ongoing
Outline Business Case	Summer 2022 – Winter 2025
Design Development	Summer 2026 onwards
Construction Commencement	2028

Harbour Walls F&G (Peninsula)

The project is currently primarily funded from Levelling-Up Funding (LUF), and Dorset Council is responsible to contribute towards the project by covering the budget shortfall.

The poor condition of the structures requires urgent construction works. The project team is progressing planning, design and eventual construction at pace. This aligns with the spending requirements of the LUF Memorandum of Understanding.

The table below gives an overview of the current project programme.

Key Milestones:

Task	Programme
Stakeholder engagement	Mid to late September 2024
Permits and Licences determination	Summer 2023 - Summer 2024
Design period	January – May 2024
Proposed Construction start	Winter 2024

Harbour Wall 4 (North Quay)

Construction work is nearing completion. Additional defects were identified during construction, and these were resolved as part of the works, leading to a delay in the eventual project completion.

The table below gives an overview of the current project programme.

Key Milestones:

Task	Programme
Stakeholder engagement	Ongoing
Proposed Construction Completion	Mid-September 2024

Financial Implications

2.1	There are no financial implications arising from this report.

Natural Environment, Climate & Ecology Implications

3.1

3.2	The regular maintenance and repair to engineering assets is beneficial to their remaining life expectancy and therefore has a lower impact upon the climate than replacement schemes. Where future replacement schemes are required, the climate impact will be described in more detail within the cabinet paper for the respective scheme.

Well-being and Health Implications

4.1	Repair and renewal of harbour infrastructure aids commercial and recreational activity that is both marine and land-based.

Other Implications

5.1	The regular maintenance and repair to engineering assets is beneficial to their remaining life expectancy and therefore is a sustainable approach to the management of engineering assets.

Where future replacement schemes are required, the impact upon sustainability will be described in more detail within the committee paper for the respective scheme.

Risk Assessment

HAVING CONSIDERED: the risks associated with this decision; the level of risk has been identified as:

Current Risk: Low

Residual Risk: Low

Equalities Impact Assessment

7.1	An EQiA is completed for all relevant engineering work that may impact upon people. Therefore, an EQiA was not completed for this committee paper. This approach was agreed with a council equalities officer.

Appendices

8.1	Weymouth Harbour Wall Location Map

8.2	Bridport Harbour Walls A&B Location Map

8.3	Climate Decision Wheel Output

Background Papers

None

Report Sign Off

11.1	This report has been through the internal report clearance process and has been signed off by the Director for Legal and Democratic (Monitoring Officer), the Executive Director for Corporate Development (Section 151 Officer) and the appropriate Portfolio Holder(s).