A MAJOR £3.8 million scheme starts today to reduce the risk of coastal erosion to more than 180 properties in Skinningrove.

The scheme will involve the reconstruction of existing defences and the extension of the rock armour around the jetty to protect it during stormy conditions as well as protecting the cliff behind the Cleveland Way from erosion.

Due to the low-lying location of the east Cleveland village, which has high coastal cliffs between Huntcliff and Hummersea, it is vulnerable to flooding from both Skinningrove Beck and the sea.

Cabinet Member for the Environment and Rural Affairs at Redcar & Cleveland Council, Councillor Barry Hunt, said: “This is great news for the residents and businesses in Skinningrove who have lived with the fear of coastal erosion and tidal flooding for too long.

“It will not only help to reassure residents but bring the much loved jetty back to life for locals and visitors to enjoy once again.”

The majority of the funding for the scheme was awarded to the council as part of the Government’s ‘Programme Accelerated Growth’ initiative, with the local authority contributing £200,000.

Construction of the Skinningrove Jetty originally started in 1882 funded by the Skinningrove Iron Company, and took five years to complete. Winter storms caused repeated damage to the structure until the company manufactured special cement by using the molten slag from the nearby blast furnaces.

But over the years it has become eroded by strong currents and winds from the North Sea, and is no longer open to the public.

The rock for the new sea defences will be transported by barge from Norway which will moor offshore and then a smaller barge will deliver the rock to the beach. Whilst the renovations are taking place ‘The Cleveland Way’ will be diverted away from the seafront.

The coastal community hit twice in 2000 when Skinningrove Beck flooded, residents had to be rescued from their bedroom windows after the torrential rain.

Durham based Lumsden & Carroll, part of Esh Group, has been appointed as the main contractor for the work which is expected to be ongoing until October this year.

“As well as upgrading and protecting the jetty we will be re-modelling existing defences and reusing some elsewhere in the scheme, said: “Steve Conn, Construction Director at Lumsden & Carroll.

“We’ll be working with the tides on some aspects of the work, this has been carefully planned during the tender and lead up to the works commencement, particularly the spring tides’ - This is when the sea level range is significant above its normal levels; the next are due in August to September this year.”