North Yorkshire County Council backs £14m Scarborough safety scheme

Today, North Yorkshire County Council voiced their support for a £14m scheme to protect Scarborough’s South Cliff – and the iconic Spa – from the sea.

The Council Executive members agreed to provide £1.2m worth of funding from the reserves to covering any financial risk associated with the project.

The scheme will stabilise the cliff on which the Spa, along with several homes, hotels and businesses, is located.

Initially the entire project was priced at £10.3m, but a further £4.3m is needed to cover any extra amounts necessitated if there is a requirement for any further work which may become apparent during the course of the operation.

County Councillor Carl Les, the Council’s Leader, said: “Over the years we have seen many incidents in which the boulder clay that makes up much of the North Yorkshire coastline has been compromised and become unstable, sometimes with disastrous consequences, such as the destruction of Holbeck Hall Hotel in 1993.

“Huge advances have been made in monitoring and understanding the way our coastline is affected by storms and by the day to day impact of our climate, which has led to significant investment in locations all along the North Yorkshire coast so that residents remain safe and property is protected wherever possible.

“Securing the safety of The South Cliff is a priority and the County Council is glad to be able to play a part in this vital project.”

Through the Environment Agency, the scheme has secured a £10.3m contribution from central Government.

Councillor Derek Bastiman, leader of Scarborough Borough Council, said: “This is a major and important project for Scarborough, and it is good to see our two councils working so closely together on something so vital to our town,” he said.

Councillor Les added: “Although coast protection is not a statutory duty for the County Council, we recognise that there is a major issue here of vital importance to public safety, and in a wider sense to the continuing prosperity of one of the county’s most important communities.”