The Grand Pier moves into constructive phase

After £9 million has been spent on clearing the debris, driving in piles and making good the basic structure of the Pier, visible construction has now started.

In the last three weeks, approximately one third of the structural metal decking units have been laid. The metal decking units, made from polyurethane sandwiched in between 5mm steel sheets, are usually used in ship building. They are nearly 10 metres long and 2 metres wide and are being placed on to new structural steels to form the deck of the Pier’s new main pavilion.

The metal decking units have been manufactured in Holland and then shipped to Southampton where a special coating and paint is applied giving a minimum life span of at least 60 years and a minimum maintenance free period of 30 years.

Local company William Haley of East Brent is fabricating the steel structure for the new Pavilion and they are expected to start erecting it next week. The framework will be lifted into place by a 180 tonne crane that operates from a barge floating next to the Pier.

There is approximately 1,100 tonnes of steel in the new structure and project managers anticipate that they will be erecting more than 100 tonnes per week.

Photo shows: Aerial view of progress on the floor of the Pavilion

Weston on the map for trade visit

A record turn out of over 100 members of the UK’s largest leisure industry association representing commercial leisure parks, piers, zoos and static attractions sector visited the West Country yesterday.

BALPPA, the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions visited Wookey Hole, Bristol Zoo and Brean Leisure Park before moving onto Weston where the group has not been for over 17 years. In Weston, the members had a sumptuous 3-course lunch at the Thatched Cottage Restaurant on Weston super Mare's seafront and a presentation on the rebuilding of the Pier from Kerry Michael, joint owner of the Pier. The group then took a tour of the Pier building site.

He said: We were delighted to welcome major operators such as Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Drayton Manor Park and Crealey to our operation in Weston and I was particularly pleased with the support and encouragement we received for the rebuilding of the Grand Pier. We look forward to welcoming them back for the grand re-opening next July.

Colin Dawson, the Chief Executive of BALPPA said: “We had a fantastic meal at the Thatched Cottage and it was both exciting and encouraging to see the excellent work being progressed on The Grand Pier. There was a good turnout of members for the visit and over £2,500 was raised for a local charity, The Seashore Centre at Weston General Hospital. Our organisation speaks for over 300 members and we are currently lobbying government on a number of issues of importance to our Members including the introduction of Daylight Saving to allow an extra hour of usable daylight throughout the year which will provide an important boost to all UK tourism businesses.

Mumbles Pier owner John Bollom was in the BALPPA party. He said: “As a pier owner myself, I was amazed to see the speed and amount of work that has been carried out on Grand Pier in only 15 months since the tragic fire.

“Weston is lucky to have a pier owner that is able to mobilise the necessary resource for a project of this size so quickly. It must be difficult for an average person to appreciate the difficulties and problems in constructing a structure of this scale in such a hostile and awkward environment. In over 40 years involvement with seaside piers this is the largest single development I have witnessed. I am very much looking forward to seeing the finished result next July.”
Picture shows: BALPPA delegates on the Grand Pier in Weston-super-Mare.

Churchill School visit

Five A2 level product design students from Churchill School received special permission to go onto the Grand Pier building site as background for their design projects. One of the students, Liam Barnett, is designing and making a bench and the other students are designing an educational wall display within the new soft-play area of the pier. The students and their teacher Mark Barham were joined by the Pier’s Marketing Manager Jane Owen and the Sisk Site Manager Terry Cotton. The blustery conditions made it difficult to handle the floor plans but the students got a close-up view of the construction work.

Our picture shows: (L to r) Terry Cotton, Sisk Site Manager; Jane Owen, Marketing Manager for The Grand Pier, and students Hannah Cannock, Amy Hutson, Amie Johnston, Sonny Davies and Liam Barnett.

Safe Have for Grand Pier barges

A new deep-water anchor site at Brean Down is being arranged for Weston’s Grand Pier barges so that they can take cover close by when bad weather threatens.

After the Force 8 gale predictions last weekend, the first barge was obliged to take cover in Cardiff Dock until the storm passed. The new deep water anchor will provide a safe haven for any barges that are working at the Pier should the weather turn bad again.

“It is imperative that we don’t lose too much time over the winter and this solution seems very sensible. We have a schedule to keep to and we have got to minimise the effects of the weather,” said Kerry Michael, joint owner of the Grand Pier.”

The second barge, with its 180 ton crane attachment, arrived at the Pier on Sunday along with the original barge that had fled to Cardiff for safety. The 2 barges are starting work laying the floor panels for the main Pavilion. This work will take several weeks and will be followed by the erection of the main steel structure.

Grand Pier finds solution to latest weather problem

With force 8 gales predicted over the next few days, the first barge working on the Grand Pier will be moved today to Cardiff docks and return on Monday 5th October, weather permitting.

Although this will slow down the progress this week on the decking that is currently being laid, a solution has been found so that work will be able to press ahead and keep on track.

The mobilization of the third barge and crane is being brought forward and a more expensive option is being used. The new barge will be a “jack-up” barge and is less susceptible to weather conditions.
“We are pleased that our contractor, John Sisk & Son, is as determined as we are to open on time,” said Kerry Michael, joint Pier owner. “The new barge will be on site in a few weeks time and will be transported by road to Cardiff docks and towed from there.”

The second larger barge with the 180 ton crane is expected to arrive this Sunday 4th October.

New attractions on the pier will include a panoramic tower where up to 40 people at a time can enjoy a smooth and spectacular ride up to obtain a 90 metre view of the town. Other 21st century rides will include a new Fun House, 2 level go-kart racing, a psychedelic experience and a laser room.

Firm favourites, such as dodgems, ghost train and arcade games will be back too along with fabulous food and new facilities for younger visitors.