King William Pier ‘in poor structural condition’ as stabilisation and repair works proposed at Carrickfergus Harbour
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council planners have received an application for stabilisation and repair works at Carrickfergus Harbour.
The application made by an agent on behalf of the borough council says: “King William Pier is in poor structural condition and requires remedial works to ensure its stability.”
The location is where King William III landed in 1690 and where a re-enactment takes place every year. The harbour is within Carrickfergus Conservation Area.
It is noted: “Part of this pier was taken down and rebuilt in 1990 due to its poor condition, with underpinning carried out. However, due to funding issues, the repairs were undertaken only at discrete locations and the remaining unrepaired areas continued to deteriorate.”
An underpin/concrete skirt is proposed throughout the pier. Re-pointing throughout is proposed.
At Albert Edward Pier, the application says: “There is a short section with large sandstones that are eroded and large voids noted. Some of the coping stones are loose as the underlaying sandstone eroded.
"Coping stones are to be lifted and reset over a steel plate to bridge the gap. The concrete outer parapet wall is in very poor condition with large cracks and voids noted.”
At the Alexandra Pier, it has been stated the outer parapet wall is in “very poor condition with large cracks and voids noted”.
A design and access statement notes that initial construction of the King William Pier tip dates back to the 1600s.
“Construction consists of a bottom layer of approx 2.5m thick of large round boulders (dry construction, no mortar), overlaid by approx 1.5m thick masonry wall. The bottom layer of round boulders have moved, causing the loss of interlocking of the stones. Several cracks and gaps are noted and its condition is very poor.
“The repairs are required to ensure that the character and appearance of the area will be maintained, avoiding collapse of the harbour walls.”
The Albert/Edward Pier is said to be of a modern construction, initially 1867. “The sheet pile condition is good, but the parapet condition is poor. Large cracks are noted at approximately every 10m, with large voids observed at the cracks caused by water,” the report says, A radar tower school was built in 1960.
It is stated Alexandra Pier was initially constructed as mirrored version of Albert Edward Pier but further works to develop the reclaimed land and to upgrade the pier took place in 1970.
“The North Wall was constructed as part of the Marine Highway Project in 1964. It spans from the main slipway and Alexandra Pier.”
Due to the poor structural condition of King William III Pier head, a fence and gate has been erected to prevent access.
Mooring at an un-serviced pontoon at Carrick Harbour costs £612.50 annually. Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter