Southampton: WFBA refurbishes Warsash Pier

WFBA, the Romsey-based consulting civil and structural engineering company, is refurbishing Warsash Pier which was constructed in the mid-90s, and which is used for training courses offered by the Southampton Solent University’s Warsash Maritime Academy.

The extensive refurbishment during the summer break is being directed by Bill Brown, WFBA’s managing director, and his team. It involves extreme-pressure washing to remove the degraded paint and rust from the structure, prior to repair and application of a new protection system.

Brown commented: “This is an SSSI site, so ensuring that controls are in place so that none of the waste arisings enter the water as we work along the structure has been a top priority, and a challenging task given the environment. The project includes the replacement of corroded fixing bolts and concrete slab where bearings have failed; and some of the piles also have to be replaced.”

Jeff Japes, senior building surveyor for Southampton Solent University, said that the Pier would be ready for the resumption of courses from September and in a condition to face the day-to-day wear and tear caused by the constant use and weather conditions.