Bridport Harbour in Dorset, South West England, has been secured after urgent repairs were carried out to stop further damage caused by coastal erosion. The work was completed in June 2025, with a focus on stabilising Harbour Walls A and B to ensure the area remains safe and continues to protect the coastline.
Bridport Harbour supports a variety of activities and features 163 dry moorings, with the majority leased privately. This is alongside 24 commercial moorings used by fishing boats and passenger vessels. The harbour plays a role in the growth of local coastal infrastructure, supporting tourism and business activity.
The harbour’s condition had deteriorated over time due to soft underlying silt and clay that weakened as tidal waters created voids below the surface. Partial closures were required in 2023 and 2024 following visible signs of wall movement and damage.
In March 2024, emergency piling works were performed using steel sheet piles and fill materials. While the outcome offered temporary support, erosion continued behind the wall, which prompted Dorset Council to seek a solution while more permanent plans were being developed.
Environmental consultancy WSP was appointed to identify repair options. Excavation and reconstruction were considered but dismissed due to extended timelines, environmental risk and the harbour’s popularity during the summer season.
The council selected Geobear, a specialist ground engineering firm, to deliver non-invasive repair using geopolymer injection technology. “We considered many options, but this one met the area’s needs. It allowed us to stabilise the ground without having to dismantle the wall,” said Cllr Jon Andrews, Dorset Council’s Cabinet Member for Place Services.
Over three weeks in June, Geobear’s team injected expanding geopolymer resin into the sub-base on a one-metre grid. The resin was applied through the tarmac promenade down to seabed level during low tide windows, strengthening the ground beneath and behind the harbour walls without excavation. The geopolymer material used is environmentally safe, leachate-free and cures rapidly.
Paul Garthwaite, infrastructure director at Geobear, said: “By targeting voids beneath and behind the harbour wall with precision injection, we strengthened the structure from the inside out, extending its life and ensuring it remains safe and functional while long-term plans are finalised.”
