Work to maintain Weymouth’s Historic Harbour is set to start on 30 September. The work, which is essential to preserve the harbour walls, has been carefully timed to avoid the main tourist season.
Cllr Ray Bryan, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, said: “These works are essential to preserve our historic harbour for the future – without it they would be at risk of collapse. We apologise in advance for any disruption, some works noise will be unavoidable, but please bear with us as this work is vital.”
Cllr Kate Wheller, Chair of Dorset Harbours Committee, said: “I am glad this work is finally being done, as it will maintain our harbour. It has been scheduled to avoid the main tourist season and we apologise in advance for any disruption.”
The works are expected to be complete by Christmas (23/12/19). During the works, it will be necessary to close a small part of the road along Customs House Quay and a minor diversion will be in place. Part of the Weymouth Pavilion Car Park will also have to be used as a temporary compound so our contractor can work safely.
The work has been planned and paid for by Dorset Council, but it will be carried out by a contractor, Knights Brown Construction. It has been agreed that their working hours will be Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm and Saturday 8am to 2pm. The council has agreed with the contractor and local tourism businesses the noisiest work won’t start until after 10am.
The work will begin with the demolition of the old brick and concrete kiosk at the top of the ferry steps. Then 76 metres of quay wall near the kiosk will be replaced. This will involve driving a new line of sheet steel piles, which are like an interlocking steel barrier, into the ground in front of the existing harbour wall.
The piles will be driven into the ground during October and November. It is expected to take around five to six weeks, although the hammering in, which often causes the most noise will only be done for short periods. In November the gap between the new and old piles will be filled with concrete. The new structure will then be capped with concrete and the quayside restored with equipment for mooring vessels.
Around £1.9 million has been allocated to maintain this section and another section of harbour wall near Nelson’s Wharf, also in need of urgent repair.
Information about the project will be available at: dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/weyharbourworks
