Felixstowe Pier has been a prominent feature along the town’s seafront since its original construction in 1905. Over the years it has seen many changes, and in more recent times it had come under a state of disrepair. The owners of the structure saw the potential it could have and began plans to transform the site. Haydn Evans (HE) were engaged by the client at an early stage and worked closely with the client and Management Contractor throughout the scheme.
During the tender process of the early iterations of the project, it was clear that the cost of marine works would have a significant effect on the overall budget. It was therefore decided in the final scheme that the structure would be built to the limits, whereby it could all be built from the land. The “land” element of the structure was extended out further with the use of a sheet piled wall and recycled demolition material, to able a land-based crane to reach to the furthest pile position, therefore removing the need for expensive crane-based barges.
The extension of the land element meant that all new services within the pier such as water and foul, were not suspended and could be buried below the ground floor slab. This helped from a cost aspect from a durability point of view. In order to maintain the project program, the majority of the pier deck was fabricated offsite. Specially designed oversized pile heads and steel safety platforms formed the support base for pre-cast concrete beams and planks to form the main deck.
Topping was then poured to provide a secure platform from which the steel superstructure could be formed. HE sought all necessary approvals on behalf of the client including EA flood defense consent, Marine licensing, S278 agreement, Coastal Protection Works agreement, Water Authority consent.Felixstowe-Pier
