The Queen's Pier Story .. .. ..
A copy of a
letter from our Chairman to all MHKs & MLCs
12th September 2002
Dear Sir / Madam
It is nearly three years since I placed
before you a copy of our own Engineer's report
into the condition of the Queen's Pier together
with their conclusions and recommendations. In
the interval the Department of Transport
submitted their own long awaited report to
Tynwald in April 2001. Tynwald then instructed
the Department to undertake a further full
survey to obtain costs for full refurbishment
and maintenance of the Pier by October 2001. The
Department selected the Morton Partnership and
their report was received by Tynwald in due
time. This was a very thorough survey which put
the cost of restoration, based on their brief to
replace like with like, at close to £10m.
Obviously should Tynwald find this acceptable we
would be amongst the first to applaud their
commitment to preserving the Manx Heritage in
their stewardship.
Being realists, the Friends have always
maintained that refurbishment at a much lower
figure could be achieved by the use of modern
materials and methods where this would not
detract from the 'heritage' aspect. The Island
would thus regain the use of its Pier whilst
retaining the Victorian appearance as part of
the much-admired landscape of Ramsey Bay. To
this end we commissioned an up-date of our
report, at our members expense, and a copy is
enclosed herewith. You will see (on Page 2) that
our Consultants are one of the most experienced
in their field and are responsible for the
maintenance and repair of many piers in the
United Kingdom, where there is a resurgence of
enlightened interest in Piers and similar
Victorian Structures. Their revised costs at the
end of the report vary between £2.5m and £4.5m
and are considered quite robust.
We would emphasise that we are aware that we
are dealing here with a Registered Structure,
which will place strictures on what can and
cannot be done. However the Friends have always
maintained that such works that are now
recommended could be approved by the Department
of Local Government under Registered Building
Consent without impacting on the aesthetic and
visual quality of the structure or the landscape
of its surrounds. The Manx Government as owners
have the ultimate responsibility for the care of
the Pier and must discharge this responsibility
whilst providing an example of good practice to
other owners. As signatories to the European
Convention for the Protection of the
Architectural Heritage they have a commitment to
our heritage.
We commend our report to you as a realistic
way forward in returning the Pier to use whilst
meeting these obligations.
The late Queen Mother and Dowager Lady of Man
was the last Royal to use the Pier and I can
think of no finer tribute to her memory than by
starting the long awaited refurbishment of the
Queen's Pier in the Golden Jubilee year of her
daughter, Queen Elizabeth and Lord of Man.
Yours sincerely,
F W Hodgson,
Chairman. |
