COUNCILLORS are due to decide on emergency repairs to a city’s coastal defences and piers damaged in recent extreme storms.

Sunderland City Council’s Cabinet meeting on Wednesday April 25 will hear how repairs are needed at the Old North Pier, New South Pier and Stonehill Wall.

The repairs are being estimated at costing approximately £3.1m with costs being met from the council’s capital budget.

Les Clark, the city council’s chief operating officer, said: “The cabinet is looking at repairs that should prevent the damage getting worse and therefore reduce the risk of mounting costs in the future.”

Damage was caused on and around Friday March 2 during ‘Storm Emma’ and then with more severe weather and heavy seas between Thursday March 15 and Sunday March 18.

Mr Clark added: “The repairs are also about continuing to protect properties behind the beach at Marine Walk, as well as preventing the beach itself being eroded, and maintaining access for ships into the Port of Sunderland.”

It has been estimated that without the pier it could annually cost up to £100,000 for port dredging works.