Weymouth harbour wall collapses ahead of repair work

Engineers are on site to shore up the affected area

Part of a harbour wall on the Dorset coast that was due for repair has collapsed.

Images show rubble and pavement slabs have slipped into Weymouth Harbour.

Dorset Council said a "short section" had collapsed. It said the wall had been identified as a risk and was due for repair work as part of a project announced last year.

Engineers are on site to shore up the affected area and prevent further movement, the council added.

The council announced last year it would strengthen the 235m (770ft)-long wall running from Town Bridge in front of the former council offices, as part of a £1m project.

The work on the wall is expected to include raising its height to deal with anticipated higher sea levels in 35-40 years' time.

An engineering report said that the wall was at, or near, the end of its useful life although many of the sections were still capable of being repaired or strengthened, reported the Local Democracy Reporting Service in November.

Access to the marina is unaffected following the collapse, with booms already in place for the repair works.

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