SEAFRONT car parks have been fully reopened as restoration work on a historic harbour pier takes a winter break.

Work on the North Pier at Seaham has been halted for three months as winter storms approach and will resume in March.

The break leaves one of the most important wildlife sites on Durham’s Heritage coast undisturbed as hundreds of roosting birds return from Northern Europe for the winter.

The pier is next to Red Acre Point, a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) and a seasonal feeding ground for purple sandpipers and turnstones. Redshanks, oystercatchers and kittiwakes also roost around the harbour.

Contractors Carillion have removed cabins and equipment storage sheds from the site for the winter shutdown to allow car parks next to the marina, Slope Beach and Spiles, to be open as normal.

Work started in July on the £3.4m project to protect the town against coastal deterioration by stopping storm waves penetrating the harbour. It is expected to be finished by November 2015.

The harbour is protected by two outer piers – the North Pier and the South Pier – which were built between 1899 and 1906.

As well as protecting local businesses, the project will also guard the harbour and the marina development against coastal erosion as well as helping to support tourism and leisure activities in the town, fishing, and habitats for important species of birds.

John Reed, Durham County Council’s head of technical services, said: “This is a timely break for the project which is progressing well.

“These improvements will help secure key economic infrastructure in the town by protecting it against coastal erosion.”