Ryde Pier, located in Ryde on the Isle of Wight, required a new pedestrian walkway to replace the redundant Grade II Listed Tramway Pier constructed over 150 years ago. Completed in 2023, the landmark structure is now accessible to pedestrians and cyclists.
Client: Wightlink Ltd
Value: Circa £4.2m
Location: Isle of Wight
The dedicated walkway provides a safe pathway link between Ryde Esplanade Station and the pierhead, as well as securing the long-term survival of the structure. Shelters and seats were also installed along its length, offering beautiful views across the Solent.
The primary objective was to create a usable structure that serves the community now and in the future. Falling under a government incentive to make travel easier between towns and cities, this project had a focus on both accessibility and longevity.
Ensuring this landmark structure was adapted in line with conservation and marine engineering requirements provided many unique considerations for the team in the early stages.
Ryde Pier is the oldest seaside pier in the UK. Constructed as a tourist landmark in 1814, the pier now serves as a port for the WightLink Ferry, connecting the Island to the mainland. The project was a collaborative effort between AWA and various other contractors. It involved working closely with the Local Authority and various heritage groups who stipulated that any new elements should have the same appearance as the original structure.
The original tramway had a steelwork grillage on the top level and was built with cast iron screw piles and braced with diagonal tie rods. One requirement of the project was that each galvanised nut and bolt had to be painted from natural silver colour to black to ensure that they were in keeping with the aesthetic.
One of the most significant challenges was replacing seven of the 350 cast iron pile heads that had corroded. The cast iron pile heads also needed to match the original structure, so they had to be specially sourced. The pile heads are large metal poles requiring specialist machinery and additional contractors to fit, requiring extra planning,
Marine projects are more involved due to external factors such as tides and saltwater damage. Ryde is a long, shallow beach that’s dry for long periods, which allowed more time in the day for work to be carried out. Work to the pier head required careful consideration of the tides and there were occasions when the contractors had to work in waist-deep water, wearing waders and life jackets.
The materials used were carefully thought out in the design stage to ensure that they are not easily corroded by saltwater.
The Ryde Pier project showcases AWA’s excellence in marine engineering and shows their crucial role in supporting other contractors to ensure the project’s overall success.
It is an example of AWA’s capability to execute complex projects, transforming a damaged structure into one that will serve the community for generations.
AWA is a structural engineering and civil engineering consultancy established in 1987, with a hard-won but deserved reputation for delivering excellence in our profession.
Our philosophy is simple: we put people first. This has resulted in a high number of repeat clients and an impressive track record of successful award-winning projects. We are proud to be professional, and approachable; we believe this makes us the ideal partner for your project.
AWA has chartered engineers in our offices located in Romsey, Hampshire and Bath, Somerset. We deliver services to clients across the South, South East and South West.
Our team includes both chartered structural engineers and chartered civil engineers committed to continuous professional development ensuring you benefit from up to date industry expertise, whatever your project entails.
To find out more about how AWA can help with your project, get in touch today. Call 01794 524447 (Romsey) or 01225 251498 (Bath) to speak to a member of our team. Alternatively, email mail@awaengineers.com and one of the team will be in touch.
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