Harbour users in Banff were last night given a glimpse of the proposed repair works required to fix three of the port’s damaged piers.
Specialist teams discovered the levels of grout had reduced and the large stone blocks which make up the north and east piers had moved.
They were both cordoned off to allow an assessment to take place which involved drilling a series of small holes in the structure.
In 2017, temporary repairs were carried after the railway jetty at Banff fell into the water.
Those working out of the small port previously said it was a “disaster” and that it was “essential” repairs were carried out.
Aberdeenshire Council, which owns the harbour, has been working alongside consultants AECOM to come up with a permanent fix for all three of the piers.
They held a drop-in session in the town last night to update those who use the 18th century harbour on their plans for a permanent solution.
AECOM laid out their blueprints for the repairs at the event.
They include strengthening the railway jetty and the east pier by dismantling the current structure and building it up again.
A barge would be brought in to fix the north pier which would be the final development carried out.
Mark Stewart, the council’s harbours civil engineer, said they hope to begin work at the end of the summer.
He said: “The intention is for the work at the end of August and be finished around November.”
Mr Stewart said the harbour will closed for four weeks in the winter to allow engineers to put the stone blocks back in place.
It is not known how much the repair scheme will cost.
Phil Helmsley, who keeps his yacht at Banff harbour, has welcomed the proposed upgrades.
He said: “It needs doing and, if it is not done, the harbour is going to fall down. At least the council appears to be taking the problem seriously.
“These plans have been given a warm welcome and it is nice to see.”
The harbour at Banff was built in 1775 and is mainly used by the owners of yachts and pleasure craft, but also local fishermen.
