If you've been following our major Rochester Pier project, you'll probably know that work came to a sudden halt recently when safety concerns necessitated the pier's closure to the public (and to our volunteers). Medway Council required a survey to be carried out to ensure the pier was structurally sound and in good shape to continue in its role as a cherished and historic part of the Esplanade Gardens.
This was obviously something of a blow to our restoration efforts, which had been gathering pace and really beginning to make a difference, but we naturally recognise the paramount importance of ensuring the pier structure is safe and in good enough condition to stand for another hundred years. We also felt it would be very useful to have a clearer picture of the pier's structural situation so we could keep our strategy for maintaining it well informed and up to date.
Therefore, we're really pleased to hear from our partner Adam Taylor, Marine Assets Manager for Medway Council, that a contractor has been selected to carry out the survey, and a date established to start work. It will be the most comprehensive survey ever conducted on the pier and will identify all issues in minute detail, concluding with recommendations for repairs and estimated costs. Once complete, the survey will inform the council which options are available to determine the future of the upper section of pier and the feasibility of restoring link span walkways to the pontoon.
Starting in mid-October, we'll begin to see scaffolding erected and floating pontoons moored alongside the pier to facilitate core drilling at key sections; the work is scheduled to continue through to Spring 2026.
This is really great news, and we're delighted the council has been able to allocate resources to maintaining Rochester's historic pier, which our Friends and Members wish to see continuing in public use for many years to come. We're also grateful to Adam for keeping us up to date with his efforts.
If you'd like to know more about the Pier Project, and how you can help, please get in touch!