The heritage and refurbishment of grade II listed piers at Whitby harbour, North Yorkshire. Issue 3 (27th September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cooper, Nick; Burdett, Steve; Cooper, Victoria; Rowe, Stewart; Dewe, Graham
• Is Part Of: Proceedings of ICE. Volume 174:Issue 3(2021)
• Page Start: 91
• Page End: 99
• Publication Date: 2021-09-27
• Subjects: maritime engineering -- ports, docks & harbours -- rehabilitation, reclamation & renovation; Ocean engineering -- Periodicals; Coastal engineering -- Periodicals; 620.4162
• DOI: 10.1680/jmaen.2020.22
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1741-7597

Abstract

Abstract : The £6.76 million refurbishment of Whitby's famous west and east piers improved the condition of the grade II listed structures into the foreseeable future. The project stabilised sandstone facing blocks, filled voids and repaired the deck surface to prevent damage from water ingress. A new flood deflector wall at the adjoining slipway was built in preference to a more visually intrusive flood gate alternative, and this wall now lessens the impact of wave run-up on the slipway during stormy sea conditions, protecting several commercial properties against sea flooding, which previously regularly occurred. The construction work, susceptible to unpredictable weather and undertaken in a hostile marine environment, was carried out from marine craft, using cranes with suspended access systems and divers, all working in tidal conditions. Through careful planning and coordination, construction was completed safely, ahead of programme and £150 000 under budget. This paper describes the physical setting and historic development of the harbour at Whitby, draws lessons from an earlier refurbishment of another grade II listed marine structure and demonstrates how these lessons were applied to the refurbishment of the Whitby harbour piers to ensure that the works remained sympathetic to the heritage values and iconic aesthetic setting of the area.