|
2009 |
|
|
5th Feb |
A Steering Group is established to
further develop the work and was
mandated to make recommendations to
Council of Ministers by October 2009
so that the matter could go before
Tynwald by November 2009. Tenders
were invited for Refurbishment
proposals and the contract awarded
to BW Partnership of Nottingham
whose inspiring proposals involved
much use of local labour as part of
the drive to minimise post “Crunch”
recession. Local Architects
“Cornerstone” were engaged to draw
up detailed plans. |
|
Nov |
Much slippage and Chief Minister
advised Tynwald that Council would
report in March 2010. Then came more
economic woes over which we had no
control. Faced with that, the
Steering Group, ably led by the Hon
Philip Gawne along with the open
encouragement of Chief Minister
Brown and Ramsey’s own two MHKs as
Treasury Minister(s), came up with a
temporary measure for replacement of
failed and damaged structural items.
This got the name “De Minimus”. |
|
2010 |
|
|
Feb |
The Steering Group’s report
containing their options and
recommendations is presented to the
Council of Ministers. Option 1 was
full refurbishment for £9m. Option
2. Minimal work to stabilise and
preserve. £1.875m Option 3. Phased
completion £11.675m. Option 4.
Partial Refurbishing combined with
minimal as Option 2. £3.25m. Option
5. Demolition. £2.2m |
|
It was not until:- |
|
May |
That Tynwald was asked to vote
for the "de minimus"option 2.at a
cost of £1.8m. Which, after much
debate, they did by 29 votes to 1.
By and large the Friends
were at least content that works
would be put in hand to preserve the
structure of the Pier. Tynwald had
decided and that was the first
decision since 1994.
The work involves the
replacement of
missing or damaged bracings and
struts, together with the safe
removal and storage of the historic
artefacts such as balustrades,
lighting columns etc., along the
whole length of Pier. The works to
be completed by the end of summer
2011.
|
|
Nov |
The requisite Planning Application
and request for Registered Building
Consent was submitted. Planning
Department, Highways, MNH, DEFA all
support it as do the Friends and
National Piers Society. But Ramsey
Town Commissioners do not. Why ever
not? Instead they trot out all the
old Urban myths. |
|
2011 |
|
|
Jan |
An Independent Inspector is
appointed due to possible
Ministerial conflict of interest. |
|
11th Feb |
The Inspector recommends to the
Council of Ministers that the works
progress. |
|
10th Mar |
The Council of Ministers accept the
Inspectors report and the
application was approved. This act
then removed the last obstacle to
seeking Tynwald approval for the
Funds. |
|
5th Apr |
In an interview with the “Examiner”
Minister Gawne stated that if
Tynwald did not approve the funding
he would return with a Bill for the
Pier’s Demolition. |
|
12th Apr |
After a somewhat acrimonious
debate during which at least nine
MHK’s who voted for the work eleven
months earlier, voted against. Three
did not return after the recess to
vote. However the proposal was
passed 11-10 in the Keys and 7-1 in
the Legislative Council.
Tynwald have voted and the work can
commence.
|
|
3rd May |
The Contractors moved onto the site
and the long awaited repairs are
underway at last. |
|
|
Is this a holding
measure or the long awaited start
of full restoration? Watch this
space.
|
