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Talks continue over funding for storm-damaged Wick harbour





Waves crashing against Wick's harbour walls during Storm Babet last month. Picture: Alan Hendry
Waves crashing against Wick's harbour walls during Storm Babet last month. Picture: Alan Hendry

Talks are continuing in bid to secure a funding package to repair Wick's storm-damaged harbour.

Concerns came to light in the aftermath of Storm Babet in October when the port was battered by powerful waves which continued for about two weeks.

Gaps have opened up in the stonework at the north pier harbour entrance and daily checks are being carried out.

Wick is the operations and maintenance base for the £2.5 billion Beatrice offshore wind farm and the harbour is also well used by yachts and fishing boats.

Following a multi-agency emergency meeting at the start of last week, senior figures from Highland Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) had talks with Wick Harbour Authority on Thursday.

The local authority’s recently appointed chief executive Derek Brown was accompanied by council leader Raymond Bremner, whose ward includes Wick. HIE's area manager for Caithness and Sutherland, Eann Sinclair, also attended.

Harbour master Ian Cormack said: "It was just a discussion, just fact-finding.

"We're still talking to various agencies. These things take time.

"With the money situation, everything is tight at the moment. It's just a process we've got to go through and there's no quick way of getting it.

"Discussions are continuing with various agencies and we hope for a good outcome.

"The other thing that has come to light is that various other harbours have also suffered damage, so there's a lot of people scrambling about looking for funding at the moment."

He added: "We are checking it daily. It's really when there are heavy seas running, that's when the damage will be done if there is any movement then.

"If there's not a solution it will only get worse.

"The outside wall has had a bit of concrete washed out but we're getting that attended to [on Friday] by a contractor."

HIE's Eann Sinclair said: “Our Caithness and Sutherland area team had been working with Wick Harbour Authority before the recent storm damage to consider a capital project at the harbour. Since the storm we’ve been jointly considering next steps with a number of local, regional and national interests.”

A photo taken last week showing cracks at the north pier harbour entrance.
A photo taken last week showing cracks at the north pier harbour entrance.

A Highland Council spokesperson said on Wednesday: “The chief executive will be visiting a number of sites in Caithness this week, together with the leader of the council. He is looking forward to meeting local staff and partners and discussing matters which are important to the area.”

Last week the operators of the Beatrice offshore wind farm said they were committed to playing their part in achieving a “quick and effective repair” to the harbour.

They added: “In the meantime, Wick harbour remains open and essential operations at Beatrice offshore wind farm continue.”

Beatrice is operated by SSE Renewables on behalf of a joint venture partnership and provides work for about 90 people.

The harbour authority has said “emergency stabilisation” is needed, while giving an assurance that contingency plans are in place to ensure the port will remain open should there be any further damage.

Maree Todd, the SNP MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, has called for all funding avenues to be explored. Jamie Stone, the Liberal Democrat MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, has warned that a collapse would be a “catastrophe” for the local economy, adding: "The fact is we need to take action as a matter of urgency – another storm could make the situation far, far worse."

A recent close-up showing some of the damage.
A recent close-up showing some of the damage.

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