Waves undermine sea wall at South Commercial Street

MUCH of South Commercial Street has been closed after the sea washed a hole in the sea wall opposite the Leog sheltered houses.

The area is understood to be coned off with traffic allowed only as far as the former Scouts Lodberrie.

A tweet from Shetland Islands Council’s roads department said: “S Commercial St in #Lerwick is closed to through traffic due to storm damage in the sea wall, by Copland’s Pier, near Stouts Court.  Inspection will follow; repairs may take time.”

Police Scotland were also advising pedestrians and vehicles to keep clear of the area, owing to the damage caused by the overnight storm.

A hole about six by eight feet in dimension has been excavated in the sea wall just below road level and repair work will be unable to commence until the weather improves.

In another incident, a lamppost is understood to have blown down next to the bus stop near the Clickimin football pitch.

Scottish Water was also in action repairing a burst water main in Dunrossness this morning.

The burst in a four-inch pipe was reported about 7.30am and repaired by 10am.

A spokesman for the water company said that some customers may have lost water supply or experienced a drop in water pressure or discoloured water.

He advised anyone returning home and finding discoloured water coming from the tap to run the water till it ran clear.

He added that Scottish Water thanked customers for their patience and understanding and apologised for any inconvenience caused.