Residents campaign to save historic breakwater

Restoration work could follow repairs, PD Ports said

Major repairs are due to be carried out on a historic breakwater which suffered significant damage in a recent storm.

Hundreds of Hartlepool residents raised concerns about the Headland's breakwater, which was built in 1853 to protect the town's marina and homes.

PD Ports responded to calls for action, saying it would carry out repairs imminently.

Glen Hughes, founder of the Save our Heugh Breakwater campaign, said the pledge was an "excellent first step" in ensuring the survival of the local landmark.

Glenn Hughes hopes the breakwater will be fully restored

Mr Hughes, who grew up in Hartlepool, had called for leaders to come together to preserve the life of the Heugh breakwater.

He said: "I played here as a child, coming down for picnics and having fun with my friends and family.

"It's an important part of my and so many other Hartlepool people's memories of Hartlepool."

Mr Hughes added: "From here, we will be looking at how we can fully restore it to its former glory."

PD Ports, which manages the site, said its engineering team and external contractors are already at work attempting to rectify the damage to the breakwater.

Chief executive Frans Calje said the company would consider repairing paving and railings on the publicly accessible part of the structure once repair work is complete.

He said the company is "mindful" of how loved the landmark is in Hartlepool but said the structure was facing "ever more extreme weather conditions".

Mr Calje said PD Ports would continue to monitor and maintain the breakwater, adding: "Our inspections have shown that the main sub-structure of the breakwater remains intact."