Lifeboat station's bell tower to undergo repairs

Cullercoats Lifeboat Station was built in 1897

A Grade II listed lifeboat station needs repair work on its bell tower.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has applied for planning permission to restore its Cullercoats Lifeboat Station.

Work will include adding new doors to the station and roof repairs.

Lewis Bartoli, Tynemouth councillor and member of the Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade, said: “What the RNLI is proposing is not only essential, but looks to preserve an iconic building."

The station was built in 1897 and houses boats used for RNLI rescue missions, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

There have been 720 launches from the boathouse, which have saved more than 840 lives, according to the RNLI's heritage statement to North Tyneside Council.

'Well-loved building'

Paul Freeman, RNLI regional estates manager, said: “The works at Cullercoats RNLI would involve repointing the bell tower and remedial work to the timber structure, re-roofing, redecoration, and the addition of new doors.

“Cullercoats lifeboat station is such an iconic and well-loved building, with a rich history of saving lives at sea and we look forward to the works hopefully starting soon."

In 1992, the station underwent work to allow it to house a new Atlantic-21 lifeboat and launch tractor.

The inside of the building was then modified in 2002 to create a second floor.

Mr Bartoli said the council will do anything it can to support the work.