Weston Pier, Weston-s-Mare
- Project: Weston-super-Mare Grand Pier
- Location: Weston-super-Mare
- Client: John Sisk & Sons Ltd
- Area: 4000m²
- Product: TATA Comflor 60
- Concrete
- Mesh
- Reinforcing bars
Weston-super-Mare’s main tourist attraction tragically caught fire in 2008. A stunning new pier was designed, calling for 4000m² of ComFlor 60 to replace the fire torn timber flooring.
The re-designed grand Pier is laid out over two main floors, comprising world class amusement rides and attractions, with a third floor comprising function rooms, offices, event and conferencing space.
In order to minimise waiting time, and to re-open the Grand pier as soon as possible, it was decided the metal decking and the steel frame would be simultaneously installed, presenting Prodeck-Fixing with an exacting challenge.
The TATA ComFlor 60 was selected for its light weight design and exceptional spanning capabilities. It provided a low cost, quick installation and an attractive solution as the decking would be visible from the underside in certain areas of the building.
The logistics of this project provided Prodeck-Fixing with a fresh challenge, as the Grand pier is situated 300m out to sea. Installation period would also be through the middle of winter. Strong winds, changing tide and even snow posed as potential delays.
One unique aspect of this project was getting the materials out to the main building itself. The chosen solution existed to float the materials on a barge with a crane that went in and out with the tide. Weston-super-Mare is home to the second largest tidal movement in the world, resulting in a very small window for loading and offloading.
Another key challenge presented to Prodeck-Fixing was how to pour concrete 300m out to sea, to a height of 15m in freezing temperatures. It was only possible to pour concrete when the temperate rose above +4°c, resulting in some of the concrete being poured in the very early hours of the morning.
In spite all of the challenges faced, Prodeck-Fixing completed the decking and concrete works two weeks ahead of schedule. Dedicated staff and work force, along with overnight work in concrete pouring attributed to maintaining the working schedule with a tight installation program.
The Grand Pier re-opened just two years after the fire which destroyed the main building, much to the delight of local residents who chose the final design as part of a design competition.
