Back on track
The pier at Clevedon sits on top of hard limestone and mud in water with a dramatic tidal range of about 46 feet and currents up to 5 knots. This made building it a real challenge – the team of men on the job in 1867–69 took three months to build one of the 100-foot spans, although some of the other spans went much faster.
But it was worth the effort. They achieved one of the most elegant pier structures, with a series of delicate arches made of recycled rails from the defunct South-West Railway. The rather pagoda-like pavilions at the seaward end add to the effect and provide welcome shelter in the stiff Severn breezes.
Like many of our piers, the one at Clevedon was looking past its best by the 1960s and structural engineers recommended testing it every two years to make sure it was still safe. So the pier was regularly subjected to a rigorous loading with tanks of water and in October 1970 the structure collapsed during one of these tests.
For years the pier languished unrestored, and potential costs mounted as the need for further repairs became apparent. But at last, in 1989 the pier reopened and the entire restoration project was completed in 1998. The reborn pier was a triumph for local fundraising and effort plus grant-aid and the repair process was helped further by the lucky discovery of some of the old South-West rails in storage. A fine end for a fine pier.
A pier success story!They're so rare now.I'm thinking especially of the sad demise of the West Pier in Brighton.
ReplyDeleteHaving spent the first nine years of my life in Bognor Regis,the mere sight of a pier makes me soggy with nostalgia.
The demise of Brighton's West Pier was a national disgrace. To see how it was, watch Richard Attenborough's film Oh! What A Lovely War (1969), which uses it as the main location.
ReplyDeletePeter: Agreed. The National Piers Society does good work for our piers, though.
ReplyDeleteLovely post, lovely pier Mr.W. I'd like to have been to the storage facility where they found those old rails - wonder if there was a mothballed stock of broad gauge GWR locos too? Brighton's West Pier an absolute disgrace I agree...it is more that rumoured however that all the gilded internal panelling and fittings from the old pier theatre is in storage in the greater Brighton area. All we are left with is something that wouldn't look out of place at Tate Modern, but sadly not a pier.
ReplyDeletePointing out to the West, Clevedon Pier makes a fine picture at sunset.
ReplyDeleteIf you look closely at the final two (rebuilt) spans from the end of the pier you will see that they are made from square section structural steelwork, rather than the paired Barlow rails of the original spans. But this merely shows the good taste of the pier society --- to which we all owe a huge debt --- who were able to rebuild such an elegant structure in modern materials.
Now if only something can be done about the derelict shell of the Rock House & Royal Pier Hotel at the pier head...
And whilst wer're about it, the Old Pier at Weston-S-M needs some serious TLC. Urban Splash, the oh-so-hip property developers were to have taken it on, but I believe they're run out of money. At least the Grand Pier is being rebuilt in fine style.
ReplyDeleteGood to know that there is an official body that is doing what it can to keep these tresasureable,and sometimes slightly odd,architectural structures afloat,as it were.
ReplyDeleteDK: Fascinating about the steelwork - thanks for pointing that out. Must go back to Weston and have a look there.
ReplyDeleteMartin: Yes, these piers need all the support they can get. I'd blog about more piers, but as I live in the Cotswolds (a region that has most things, but not the seaside) I don't get to the coast that much.
I enjoy your wonderful presentation of these buildings and structures.
ReplyDeleteVery well done.
Thank you, James. Your appreciation is very much appreciated.
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