Repair and replacements works on Bristol's historic docks

Release Date:  09-Dec-2008

A multi-million pound scheme to secure the effective working of Bristol’s historic docks and safeguard the city from potential flood risks is set to start this week.

The City Docks Capital Project will address urgent repairs and replacement work on the 140-year old Victorian lock system. The work is being carried out by BAM Nuttall ltd in partnership with Bristol City Council.

The work will consist of three phases, with Phase 1 tackling the most urgent works and costing an estimated £4million. Altogether, there will be a planned programme of works over a four-year period and costing in the region of £11million.

Phase 1 involves replacement of the 140-year old Victorian wooden lock gates at Junction Lock (which hold water in the harbour when the Entrance Lock gates are open) and the upgrading of the Junction Lock highway swing bridge, which is reliant on – and powered by – the Hydraulic Main at Cumberland Basin. It also involves installing individual oil hydraulic power packs for operating the Junction Lock gates, sluices and paddles.

The new gates – or ‘leaves’ – will be made of steel and are currently being made by Dutch company, Ravestein. The steel gates, weighing 50 tonnes each will replace the 140-year-old pitch-pine wooden gates, which weigh a staggering 80 tonnes each. However, before replacement works can commence, a limpet dam, which have been specially made, will be put in place by a floating crane to lift the locks gates to allow inspection of the hinges, so that they can be considered for inclusion in the design of the new gates.

Phase 1works will eliminate the risk of a ‘draw down’ of waters in the floating harbour and facilitate the introduction of Phase 2 programme of works. Phased 2 includes installing an alternative means of operating the remaining sluices, paddles and lock gates; upgrading the present floodgates (installed in 1990) and installing new back-up floodgates at Cumberland Basin.

It is estimated that Phase 1 works will be completed by May 2009. Works are being carried out during the winter/spring months to minimise disruption to mariners.

Future works, which would be covered by Phase 3, include: refurbishing and upgrading the Underfall Yard sluice mechanisms and upgrading Netham Lock and Weir water and flood control mechanisms.

Once completed, the proposed schedule of works would ensure the safe operation of the docks for the next 100 years.

“This is extremely important and critical work,” said Councillor Rosalie Walker, Bristol’s cabinet member for culture and healthy communities. “Our historic harbour is also a working dock and plays a key element in the city’s flood defence and flood prevention programme. 

“Our ambitious plans for the docks repair and replacement works will safeguard the city for years to come. It is vital we have a proper, modern system for dealing with the upper gates – and this will require specialist knowledge and expertise.

“Next year will see celebrations marking the 200th anniversary of the harbour. I want to make sure our multi-million pound improvement works ensures the docks retain their place at the heart of the city’s heritage and industrial past and remain a great place to visit and enjoy.”

Matt Ewing, site manager for BAM Nuttall Ltd, added: “We are delighted to be working with on Bristol’s historic docks. BAM Nuttall Ltd has an excellent track record of successfully completing major engineering works such as this. We have brought together an outstanding team and are looking forward to starting work on replacing the lock gates.”

ENDS

Author:  Corporate Communications, tel. 0117 922 2650

For all media enquiries relating to this press release, please contact Corporate Communications on 0117 922 2650.

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