Cliff works under way to save villages from the sea

Boulders weighing at least eight tonnes each are being shipped in, to ensure a safer future for people living along the coast at Staithes, near Whitby, North Yorkshire, and the nearby hamlet of Cowbar.

More than 50,000 tonnes of rock will be used in the multi-million pound project and the second of three 20,000-tonne barges, which are transporting the rocks from Norway, arrived yesterday.

At low tide, contractors Amec will use 40-tonne trucks and 75-tonne excavators, fitted with heavy lifting "sugar tongs" to lift the rocks into position.

Over the past two years, similar schemes have been carried out at Runswick Bay, Whitby, and Robin Hood's Bay.

The scheme aims to protect the base of the cliffs from further sea erosion. A clifftop road at Cowbar is also due to be improved.

The work, costing more than £3m, is being carried out by Redcar and Cleveland and Scarborough borough councils.

Councillor Sylvia Szintai of Redcar and Cleveland council, said: "We know the people of Cowbar have been calling for this work for a considerable time, and now we are in a position to deliver what we believe will give them security for many, many years to come."

Scarborough Borough Council's principal engineer, John Riby, said the work at Staithes harbour is the final phase of efforts to improve village life.

"This scheme will improve the breakwater through the addition of rock armour," he said.

"To add to that, there will be a spur within the harbour to further dilute the power of the waves.

"Wave water used to over-top the sea wall during severe storms, and run down the street, near homes and businesses. This work should provide far greater protection from that."

Local residents have also welcomed the work. Michael Stead, of the Black Lion Hotel, said: "It is necessary to protect us from coastal erosion. The Cowbar road has slipped so much in the past five years, and most people think it is worthwhile.