Source: City of Plymouth
Good news – the slipway at Admiral’s Hard has been repaired and is ready to welcome the Cremyll ferries back again.
From this Friday – 20 June – boats which ferry passengers across the Tamar to Mount Edgcumbe will be able to land once more at the slipway.
It has been closed since mid-March following reports of damage to the structure and work has now been carried out to stabilise the historic slip.
A section of sheet piling on the wall of the slip had collapsed, releasing a quantity of stone infill into the water, preventing the ferries from using the slip.
Specialist marine engineers were deployed to repair this part of the quay which is Grade II listed and whose origins date back to the Bronze Age, although most of the slip was built in the late 18 and 19th centuries.
Their work entailed replacing the sheet piles and clearing the debris. Other work including concrete pours into voids which were created by wave action – not an easy task given the time needed for concrete to dry – even if it is quick drying – and the tides coming in and out.
Metal strappings have also been installed along the edge to provide more rigidity.
Councillor Chris Penberthy, cabinet member with responsibility for assets said: “Plymouth has miles of coastline with quays, wharves, walls and slipways which given their location, are always going to be at the mercy of time, tide and wave action.
“We try to prioritise spend where it is most needed and I am sure residents – and visitors who enjoy a day out to Mount Edgcumbe will appreciate that this work is now finished – particularly with a warm spell arriving.
“It means the Plymouth Boat Trips can use this historic slipway once more and I would like to thank the company – and their customers – for their flexibility and understanding while we carried out these works.”
Ben Squire, Managing Director of Plymouth Boat Trips, who run the Cremyll Ferry said: “We have managed in the Royal William Yard but walking down Admiral’s Hard somehow feels like the start of the trip, so it is great to be able to do this again.
“It’s brilliant that this work is now finished just as we are coming into the busy season.”
Some minor painting work is still to be carried out once the service has resumed as these can be carried out between ferry landings.
The work has enabled more detailed survey to be carried out on the quay and a further programme of work is being planned.