Removal of part of the old 19th Century sea wall has begun in order to make way for the new Wellington Navigation Channel as part of the Dover Western Docks Revival (DWDR) development.

This is a key step in the marine civil engineering works for the project, as it will open up a new navigational route for all pleasure vessels entering or leaving the Wellington Dock from the forthcoming new marina.

 

Removal of Sea Wall

The removal of the old sea wall is a necessary first step before piling work starts at the Wellington Dock, connecting the old facility to the new Western Docks.

Jack Goodhew, General Manager – Special Projects, Port of Dover, said: “Connectivity is an important part of DWDR, linking old and new parts of the waterfront and the wider Port estate, such as the historic Cruise Terminal 1, to create a new destination for Dover that our community and visitors alike can explore.”

Earlier this spring, Archaeology South East monitored the partial excavation of the remaining old sea wall. Very little is known on the actual construction of the sea wall from archives; however it has been estimated from Archaeology South East that it would have been built around 1860 before being covered by a new sea wall and promenade in the 1960’s.

 

Construction of the Wellington Navigation Channel

Following the removal of the old sea wall, the installation of a sheet pile cofferdam will start, which is required to allow the construction of reinforced concrete walls and the base of the cut.  The sheet piles will be installed using large specialist equipment.

Stuart Eckersley, Project Director for VSBW, said: “We have given special consideration to the local environment by bringing the sheet pile delivery directly into the port via barges to minimise the impact on the surrounding roads and community.”

The new Wellington Navigation Channel will also include the construction of a new Bascule Bridge and a pedestrian footpath behind the original seawall, connecting the New Marina Curve and Marina to the seafront Esplanade, enabling further connectivity on the waterfront.

 

Taking care of our heritage

The Grade-II listed Fairbairn Crane, carefully restored in 2014 by the Port of Dover, is a Historic England scheduled ancient monument and situated 50 metres from where the piling works will be carried out.

In close co-operation with the heritage regulators, VSBW has incorporated a range of mitigation measures into the final engineering solution to ensure the preservation of this structure close to the Wellington Dock.

ENDS

Notes to editors

 1. Port of Dover

 The Dover Western Docks Revival (DWDR) is a one-off opportunity for the regeneration of Dover, bringing new investment into the area.  With UK Government planning approval and supported by a mix of private finance and European Union grant funding, DWDR will deliver:

 

  • A transformed waterfront to ultimately attract a host of shops, bars, cafes and restaurants with Dover’s unique backdrop of the harbour, cliffs and castle;
  • Relocation and further development of the cargo business with a new cargo terminal and distribution centre;
  • Creation of greater space within the Eastern Docks for ferry traffic; and
  • Much needed quality employment opportunities for local people.

 

DWDR is the single biggest investment ever undertaken by the Port of Dover with c.£250m committed for its delivery.

DWDR scored ‘Excellent’ for the CEEQUAL Interim Client and Outline Design Award – the evidence-based sustainability assessment, rating and awards scheme that promotes the achievement of high environmental and social performance in civil engineering, infrastructure, landscaping and public realm projects.

 2. VSBW

VSBW is a joint venture between VolkerStevin and Boskalis Westminster to deliver the marine structures and bridge contract for the Port of Dover’s flagship Dover Western Docks Revival (DWDR) development.

With a contract value of £115m, this construction stage will include the design and build of two new berths including quay walls and land reclamation, a new marina pier, the marina curve, navigation channel and new lock gates, Bascule Bridge and capital dredging work.

 3. Wellington Navigation Channel

The new channel will allow for the existing entrance to the Wellington Dock to be ‘sealed’; ready for the Granville Dock and Tidal Basin area to be in-filled and reclaimed later in the project.

The Port is consulting with a Heritage Steering Group and recording of historic structures is being carried out

 4. Images

a.)   Aerial image of the Wellington Navigation Channel works area (April 4th, 2017)

b.)   The sea wall as it was when recently uncovered

c.)   Photographed from the Prince of Wales Pier looking towards the Waterloo Mansions, 1956, looking north-west

d.)   DWDR Wellington Navigation Channel when complete

e.)   Piling beginning at the Wellington Navigation Channel