Sea breaches Breiwick barrier

A SEA wall in Lerwick knocked down by waves at the weekend will not be rebuilt until May, according to Shetland Islands Council.

Last year the council approved plans to replace the existing sea wall at the foot of Breiwick Road due to its age and poor condition.

The need for the work was clearly displayed on Saturday when huge waves crashing in from the south east during the weekend gales made short work of around 15 metres of the structure.

Council workers have been clearing away the rubble and installing a guard rail, which will remain in place until May when work should start on a much improved barrier against the elements.

SIC design engineer George Leask said the plan was to create a large, stepped barrier to act as armouring against the sea, topped with a reinforced concrete perimeter wall to replace the old one.

“We would like to do the work now, but we really have to wait until May because that is the soonest we can confidently go ahead with the weather. You can’t poor concrete if there is a heavy sea,” Mr Leask said.

The new wall was designed by civil engineers Mott MacDonald and the job will shortly go out to tender. This will be the first sea wall of this design in Shetland.