Emergency protection works begin at Portsoy Harbour

Aberdeenshire Council has appointed a contractor to undertake emergency protection and recovery measures at Portsoy Harbour.

It follows the partial breach of the old harbour wall on New Year’s Day after it was battered by sustained and heavy storm seas.

Barriers have been erected for public protection and people are encouraged to stay away from all activity at the site.

Over the next five weeks – weather dependent – emergency works will be undertaken to create a temporary work platform of concrete blocks to bridge the gap between rocks at the end of the West Quay and the outer harbour wall.

A semi-circular wall of one-tonne cement bags will then be lowered on the exterior of the breached wall section to minimise further damage and offer some level of protection. A row of concrete blocks will then be installed along the foundation stones which remain to form the basis of a new concrete core to the breached wall section. 

Our contractor will also be assessing and removing any loose or unsafe material within the remaining breached harbour wall to make the work site safer and will recover and store all loose facing stones for future reinstatement.

Harbours Principal Officer Simon Jessel said: “Our initial focus is on getting these emergency repairs undertaken as quickly as possible to secure the wider integrity of the harbour wall.

“The future restoration of the wall will of course be subject to available funding and approval.  As the harbour wall is a listed structure, we will hold early discussions with Historic Environment Scotland to discuss any future rebuilding of the breached section.”