Emergency repairs to West Bay's harbour wall is now underway - forcing food kiosks in the area to shut.

The installation of 35 metre long steel sheet piling to the toe of Wall B as well as filling in holes that have opened up on the wall got underway on Monday, February 26 meaning that the food businesses adjacent to where the repairs are taking place are now closed.

The food and drink outlets, including the Snack Shack, Rachel's and Harbour Lights, will be temporarily shut whilst the work takes place.

They hope to re open in time for the Easter holidays, although Dorset Council has said this will only happen as long as the area is deemed safe enough.

The Mound car park is also now shut to allow for materials and construction equipment – including an excavator and large crane - to be kept at the site.

Dorset Council has said that access to the Esplanade, Jurassic Pier, Windy Corner café and Helmet City shop will be largely unaffected, and the Harbour Master's office will remain open.

The footpath and toilets adjacent to the kiosks will remain closed, but temporary public toilet arrangements will remain in place - the closest toilets are situated the other side of the harbour at East Beach.

If the emergency works are successful in making the area safe, the food outlets will be open to trade as normal during the busy summer months. 

However, there will then be a longer and more significant programme of works at the end of the year, or possibly in early 2025 to construct a new wall.

Given the location and complexity of the works it may take up to six months to complete.