Ward(s) South Bridport,
Director of Planning & Environment
Burton Bradstock,
Symondsbury
WEST DORSET DISTRICT COUNCIL
ENVIRONMENT OVERVIEW & SCRUTINY COMMITTEE – 23 NOVEMER 2004
REPORT OF THE ENGINEERING MANAGER
WEST BAY COASTAL DEFENCE & HARBOUR IMPROVEMENTS SCHEME
FOR INFORMATION
1.
PURPOSE OF THE REPORT
1.1.
To apprise Members of progress on the Council’s coastal defence scheme.
2.
WEST BAY COASTAL DEFENCE & HARBOUR IMPROVEMENTS SCHEME
2.1.
The main construction activity on the new West Pier during the last few weeks has been
the finishing of concrete works. The formwork for this activity has been carried out by
Costain’s sub-contractor, Medlins, with the concreting work being carried out by
Costain’s own operatives. To date, Costain have successfully completed the central wall
adjacent to the raised walkway from chainages 49 to 183 metres, with the walkway
paving to the Westside of the wall now being 50% complete. The wave wall to the west
side of the pier has now been completed to cell number 14 of the roundhead (which
forms part of the ‘terminal bookend’ structure of the rock breakwater), and Medlins are
progressing the remaining roundhead wall to the inner harbour side. The inner coping of
the new pier is now complete.
2.2.
The last cell (number 15) forming the southern most part of the ‘terminal bookend’
structure was successfully completed in early September. All the rock armour units
behind the completed concrete wall sections of the breakwater have been successfully
placed, apart from the temporary access point to the West Beach from the new pier
where units of rock armour are yet to be placed.
2.3.
In order to install three solar powered navigation markers in positions agreed with Trinity
House (located at the end of the new groyne on West Beach, at the point where the
rock armour converges with the seabed at the southern end of the new pier and at the
point where the rock armour of the East Pier extension converges with the seabed), a
“Jack-up” barge and a “Leader Rig” were delivered to site on 21st August. However,
high winds hampered this operation for the first few days, with the Jack-up barge and
Leader Rig being transferred to assist in the demolition works by extracting steel sheet
piles from the old East Pier. Following an improvement in the weather, all three
navigation lights were successfully installed, and the Jack-up barge was demobilised
from site on 2nd September.
Ward(s) South Bridport,
Burton Bradstock,
Symondsbury
2.4.
Demolition works to the old West Pier have continued steadily, and this operation has
now entered the final stages. The majority of the steel and concrete piles in the old
structure have been successfully removed, and the old pier has been demolished and
removed to the full design depth over a length of 70 metres. However, obstructions in
the form of at least two rows of piles running north to south embedded in concrete have
been encountered between chainages 40 and 80, and removing these has proved
difficult and time consuming. A bund wall has now been created and a de-watering
system established to assist in this operation.
2.5.
As part of the Listed Building Consent, Gifford & Partners’ Archaeologists are continuing
with the Watching Brief to monitor and record any finds of historical importance. Very
little in the way of interesting artefacts have been discovered during the demolition
works, however, on 12th October a 1.5 metre long cast iron cannon was unearthed.
Arrangements are now being made for a specialist from the Royal Armoury to inspect
the cannon.
2.6.
In early September Costain mobilised a floating barge, onto which an excavator was
placed, in order to commence the dredging works to the area of water from the East
Pier to the new West Pier. The dredging arisings are substantially beach material
trapped within the outer harbour and, once removed, are being placed on West Beach
as additional beach nourishment material. This activity was hampered by high winds in
the period 13 - 17th September, however, it re-commenced on 21st September. This
activity will continue throughout October and cause a prolongation of the works which
will add to the Target Cost.
2.7.
Costain’s latest budget estimate for the final scheme construction cost has increased to
£17.6 million, which is £770K in excess of the current Defra approved construction sum.
With fees and an additional £61K for beach monitoring equipment (required by the
Environment Agency), this will result in a total of £1.074 million. Subsequently, a
meeting was held with Defra’s Regional Engineer, and it was agreed that a further
Variation (Number 3) would be submitted for approval. It is anticipated that this Variation
will be submitted to Defra in mid November. This would result in an additional cost of
£32K capital cost to this Council, which will be adequately financed from the £1.5 million
capital budget already allocated for the Council’s (3%) share. This will not affect the
separate budget that has been allocated for the West Bay Regeneration proposals.
2.8.
Works to the East Pier have continued with the installation of ladders and timber
fendering to the west side of the pier. This final activity to the pier commenced in early
September.
2.9.
The final finishing works to the new West Pier are currently on programme, and the pier
will be opened to the general public in mid December. The final finishing works to the
Slipway Area and the remaining old West Pier are now likely to be completed in the New
Year.
Report prepared with the assistance of Neil Allsopp.
Any questions arising from this report should be directed to Keith Cole 2292 or email
[email protected].
Ward(s) South Bridport,
Burton Bradstock,
Symondsbury
Ward(s) South Bridport,
Burton Bradstock,
Symondsbury
Ward(s) South Bridport,
Burton Bradstock,
Symondsbury