THE collapse of 50-metres of the harbour wall at North Quay, Weymouth has added at least £70,000 to repair costs.

The section of wall, which was being monitored, with repair works about to start, fell on February 18th.

Weymouth harbourmaster Ed Carter said that it was fortunate that the collapse happened on a Sunday and at a time when boats had already been cleared away from the area.

Dorset Council coastal engineering manager Matt Penny told the Dorset Council harbours advisory board that a temporary repair had since stabilised the area with no risk to the public, but said that the extra work would add at least £70,000 to the project and also prolong the completion time.

Mr Penny said that further work was now underway to look in more detail at the area with the fear that further voids, which would need tackling, might now be found behind the wall’s protective surface.

The collapse has been reported by the council to the Health and Safety Executive, although it is unclear at this stage if they will want a full, detailed report.

Mr Penny said that elsewhere in the harbour repairs were being planned to the surface of the Stone Pier which had broken up in several places, while on the Peninsula strengthening works proposed for walls F & G were now at the detailed design phase with those responsible being asked to see if access for the public behind the walls could be improved prior to any future redevelopment of the area.