WORK is set to start to strengthen part of the West Bay Harbour wall to stop it from falling into the sea.

West Dorset District Council is spending around £550,000 to carry out the work to strengthen the quay walls at West Bay's deep water berth, which will begin on Monday (20).

The work, which will be carried out by Raymond Brown Construction on behalf of the district council, will take approximately 16 weeks to complete. Public access to part of the quayside will be halted while the work takes place.

In 2011, it was revealed that part of the grade II listed wall was at risk of collapse. A public consultation was held in 2014 for residents to have their say on plans to shore up the wall.

The normal working hours for contractors will be from Monday to Friday between 7.30am and 6pm, while if work is required on Saturdays, it will run between 8am and 2pm.

The masonry and concrete harbour walls at the West Bay deep water berth have suffered substantial settlement over many years and are now in a poor condition.

Works will be done to stabilise the quay wall by constructing a concrete slab on the quayside that will reduce the forces placed on it by the movement of vehicles and fishing equipment. The quay wall will be strengthened further by inserting small diameter piles through it into the ground below as well repairing the stonework.

Cllr John Russell, the district council’s executive portfolio holder for environmental protection and assets, said: “We are pleased to be able to take this much needed maintenance work forward, during this time we will also be installing electric and water services and mooring bollards as well as new lifting equipment for unloading fishing boats.

“Public access to the quayside along the deep water berth section will not be permitted during the works but the rest of the harbour quayside will be available for people to enjoy.

"We will endeavour to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum for residents, businesses and the general public.”