Whitby east pier - reply from councillour G Allanson

Pier pressure in finding the money for essential repairs

From: Coun G Allanson, Scarborough Borough Council, West Street, Muton, Filey.
I REFER to the letter from Mr Glenn Kilpatrick regarding East Pier, Whitby (Yorkshire Post, August 18).
In the letter, Mr Kilpatrick says that "the Borough Council always passes on the blame, saying that there is no budget for repairs".
I would like to reassure him, and your readers, that the council is not seeking to attribute blame in this matter. However, with some 14 km of coastal defence structures to maintain, it is not always possible to effect repairs or enhancements as quickly as we would all like.
The piers at Whitby are several hundred years old and there is no doubt that works are required.
However, the degree of funding required will be extensive and will require the support of National Government to deliver.
A recent bid by the council to Defra has not been successful and so the council will need to proceed in a prudent manner to see if other avenues for funding are available.
Mr Kilpatrick alludes to the coastal protection works at Scarborough. These works were carried out due to the fact that there was an imminent risk of failure of the defences and Defra funding was made available, without which there would have been little prospect.
The council is, as always, mindful of the needs of Whitby having spent many millions of pounds there over recent years.
It is proud of the town's heritage and status and will continue to pursue initiatives and schemes which will preserve and enhance the reputation of the town.