The Queen's Pier Story .. .. ..

Newsletter October 2001

Subscriptions. A timely reminder from our hardworking Treasurer that subs were due some weeks ago. Can those of you still to attend to this matter please do so now?

Open Day. Another successful event in glorious weather when over 3000 demonstrated the need for the Pier to be restored to its Full length as soon as possible. What an attraction to Ramsey and a credit to the whole Island this would prove.

Restoration progress. (an Update)

As you know after several years of pressure we finally got the Department of Transport to come up with proposals for a "suitable scheme for the Pier". This was as Resolved by Tynwald back in February 1998. A further resolution by Tynwald in November 2000 gave the Department of Transport until "no later than March 2001" to produce this scheme. Needless to say they were late and it was not until the April sitting that it was again Resolved "to instruct the Department of Transport , in conjunction with Manx National Heritage to undertake a full survey to obtain costs for full refurbishment and maintenance of the Pier, by October 2001 ". Subject to this report, the Pier to be transferred to Manx National Heritage free of charge. We await sight of these costs with interest as figures over the years have varied, it would appear, to suit the mood of the day.

Our fears.

The Contractors selected to carry out the survey are entirely fresh to the Pier. Why did DoT switch from the several contractors, both on and off the island, who had proven experience of either 'our' Pier, or other maritime structures? What were the terms of reference for the survey? All we want is a refurbished Pier for the island to enjoy, whilst preserving as much of the Victorian 'feel' of the structure as possible. We are horrified to learn that the contractors were advised "to replace like with like" and "the use of modern materials was not acceptable". "The pier is an Architectural asset with no other use". Since when??

Is it seriously proposed to revert to Rivets and Wrought or Cast Iron? Dream on. Will the lighting revert to Gas Mantles? Anyone with any experience of restoration work will be only too well aware of the prohibitive costs of using materials no longer in current use. Many acceptable alternatives exist that are indistinguishable from the original and yet are far stronger, easier to maintain and cheaper to fabricate. And we are not referring to the botched up use of Pollyfilla as has happened in the past!

This would appear to be an unworthy attempt to price the Pier well out of reach and, if true, is the final act of contempt by the Department of Transport as custodians of the Islands Heritage. Look out the Steam Railway, you are probably next!! (After the Trams).

Whilst the report is not yet public (it has probably had to go back to the printers for another '0' to be added or, less likely, deducted) the similarity of costing for this and the proposed new Tynwald building ,£8M, will not be lost on you.

It is shortly to be your turn to tell the Politicians at the Ballot box what you think.

Why wait until then? Tell them NOW!