Major engineering work has started to strengthen the South Gare breakwater, a piece of River Tees that has protected shipping and port operations for more than 150 years.
The project follows 18 months of , surveys, and design work after Storm Babet damaged the structure in 2023. The first phase will place around 15,000 tonnes of high-density granite around the base of the breakwater, with individual rocks weighing up to 30 tonnes.
A second phase is planned for next summer using a further 40,000 tonnes of rock. The design has been tested against simulated extreme storm conditions, with the long-term goal of helping South Gare keep protecting the river, Teesport and safe navigation for decades to come.