Dorset Council proposes emergency repairs to harbour wall

A council has applied to repair holes in a historic harbour wall that could be at risk of collapse.

The Cobb at Lyme Regis is a sea defence thought to have been built in the 13th Century.

Dorset Council has requested the repairs to the Grade I listed structure, which could cost about £350,000 and would see Cobb Roadway closed to allow deliveries for the repairs.

Due to the location of the holes the work can only take place at spring tide lows, limited to four days in early November, but even this cannot be guaranteed because of the weather.

Special concrete, which pumps at high pressure and sets within two hours, will be used to fill the holes.

Scaffolding and steps will be needed for the work, which will also see one-tonne concrete blocks lifted by crane in front of the repairs, to help reduce the impact of waves once the voids are filled.

Fishing operations are expected to be able to continue while the work takes place.

The emergency repairs are separate from the next phase of coastal works at Lyme Regis, which are likely to cost around £8.4m.

Dorset Council’s flood and coastal erosion engineering manager Matthew Penny said recently that talks were ongoing between the council and Historic England over the project.

If all goes well construction is still planned to start this winter, continuing until the spring of 2027, he added.