Colwyn Victorian Pier Trust Campaign welcome work restart after Covid-19 halt

Although originally scheduled to be completed this summer, scaffolding has been erected and work has resumed on the new, 45 meter truncated Colwyn Bay pier.

The work is being undertaken by a specialist building and conservation company, Grosvenor Construction Ltd of Kinmel Bay, who, following the delivery of steel to the site in mid-June, will pick up where they left off before lock down.

A large quantity of materials delivered to the site in June signalled works restarting. Picture: Nigel Chaplin

A spokesperson for Conwy County Borough Council said: “Grosvenor Construction Ltd are back on site, and working in line with the current guidance.

“All the columns have been strengthened and are now back up. They’re now working on the upper promenade area, and are installing the railings on the lower promenade.

“The timetable for the project has been carried-forward and is now scheduled to be completed early next year.”

The signs of life at the site are welcome news for the determined volunteers of the Colwyn Victorian Pier Trust Campaign, who have tirelessly advocated for and supported the redevelopment of the structure.

Work begins again at the site. Picture: Nigel Chaplin

Pat Owen, vice-chair of the Trust said: ”I'm ecstatic - we've been waiting for so long to see this happen. It's going to be like a phoenix rising.

"It was disheartening in the beginning - just as things we’re starting to happen it stopped, but it was obviously very understandable.

“The same happened with certain funding avenues we’re going for but thankfully everything is getting going again."

The group has steadfastly raised awareness of the importance of the pier, which had fallen into disrepair, through its Facebook group, as well as raising funds through events and its Penrhyn Road charity shop.

However, as with the schedule of construction, Covid-19 has also disrupted the groups fundraising operations.

The Pioneer also reported of a break at the Trust’s shop before Christmas.

Miss Owen added: “We’ve lost so much funding with the pier shop being shut, and then the extra costs with the two break-ins before lockdown its nice to think we can open again very soon and see everyone and get them up to speed where we are.”

The next phase of construction construction is be made upon the nine stanchions that remained after the pier was dismantled in June 2018.

In preparation, the stanchions were blasted clean and treated, including one of the nine that was temporarily removed due to a crack that required fixing before it was returned.

Next a strengthening sheet of metal will be sunk into the ground and the utilities will go in before the rest of the cleaned and treated old pier returns on site alongside any new pieces needed allowing the boardwalk to be reconstructed.

One of the refurbished ornate panels from the original structure

In addition to the progress on the pier itself, Conwy County Borough Council also invited tenders for the work to refurbishing the cast iron panels, which was awarded to South Manchester heritage conservation specialists Calibre Metalwork Ltd.

Of the 99 original panels taken from the old pier, Calibre have successfully refurbished 74 which were delivered to Colwyn Bay in March and will be incorporated in the new pier.

Calibre Metalwork Ltd restore lamp columns to their former glory

All the lamp columns have been also refurbished, with just their bases and capitals recast , while Grosvenor were also working on strengthening the original ornate columns in preparation for construction to begin before lockdown.

Miss Owen said: "As a team we have been working towards this for years. Thousands of man hours stress,tears but with a lot of love and laughter.

"We wouldn't be here without the continued support and donations of the community."

For information on the Trust, visit pierbaecolwyn.org.