Work to repair harbourside walls in Weymouth is just about complete – several weeks later than originally planned.

Engineering difficulties and poor weather have delayed the project, which started in September and was meant to be finished by Christmas.

The road closure at Custom House Quay at the Pavilion end has now been lifted after the main works were complete.

As well as the road closure there have been parking restrictions and some parking spaces have been taken out of use.

Dorset Council said the work to maintain the walls was essential to preserve this part of the quayside to protect it from collapsing. The project was timed to avoid the main tourist season.

It began with the demolition of the old brick and concrete kiosk at the top of the ferry steps before 76 metres of quay wall near the kiosk were

replaced. This involved driving a new line of sheet steel piles into the ground in front of the existing harbour wall.

Around £1.9 million was allocated to maintain this section and another section of harbour wall near Nelson’s Wharf, also in need of urgent repair.

The work was planned and paid for by Dorset Council, but was carried out by contractor Knights Brown Construction.

Cllr Ray Bryan, Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, said: “We’re coming to the end of the main works period and residents will notice the last of the equipment and machinery being removed by Wednesday. Contractors will return in the next 1-3 weeks to complete minor outstanding tasks. The contractor has some resurfacing and final finishing to do.

“We want to thank everyone for their continued patience and understanding while these vital repairs are being carried out.”

The council said the delay was due to the weather and also contractors hitting an obstruction when piling, and finding “worse than expected existing structure condition – both of which required remedial work and changes to their working methodology”. The programme was then planned for completion by February 14.

When asked if the project had gone over budget and if more funds had to be found, a council spokesman said the authority could not comment as this was “commercially sensitive information”.