New pontoon for Gravesend Town Pier

The pontoon is a floating landing stage to provide berthing and passenger access for the Gravesend – Tilbury Ferry. It was commissioned for Gravesham Council and is designed to accommodate the Waverley paddle steamer, as well as other vessels.

It was designed by architects Thomas Ford & Partners with Ramboll marine engineers. Thomas Ford and Partners were appointed because of the historical importance of Town Pier, built in 1834, which is Grade II* listed and the oldest cast iron pier in Europe.

Simon McCormack of Thomas Ford & Partners said, ‘It was important to preserve the historic character and setting of Town Pier, whilst re-establishing its original function as a terminal for ferry services to Tilbury and London.

“The 1834 design allowed all tide access to steam packets via steps down into the river. Two small pavilions on the T-head provided the only shelter from the elements. Access will now be a lot safer and more convenient as passengers will be able to enjoy refreshments in the restaurant while they are waiting.

“The jetty separates the new structure visually and physically from the historic pier. New finishes on the pontoon are deliberately muted, allowing Town Pier to remain the central focus. New mooring facilities, with power hook-ups and fresh water, will provide a staging post for yachts and Thames sailing barges, much needed on this stretch of the Thames. Technical challenges for Ramboll included piling in close proximity to the historic structure, the risk of unexploded ordnance and catering for ‘robust’ berthing by the Waverley, which has limited manoeuvrability.”

The pontoon was joined to the end of Town Pier by a 45m long gangway at an angle of approximately 45°, this will increase capacity by enabling vessels to berth on both sides of the pontoon. A passenger waiting room and provision for CCTV is also included.

The 30 tonne landing jetty was brought in by barge and lifted onto the three piles adjacent to the public access on the Town Pier in November 2011. Sections were transported by road to a Northfleet ship yard for final assembly.

John Berry of Opus said, “The pontoon was lifted into the water and was towed downstream to Gravesend where it was connected to the piles placed on the seaward end of Town Pier.”

The final stage, the lifting in place of the linkspan, took place after dark on 13 March 2012.

The project was funded by Gravesham Borough Council, Kent County Council, South East England Development Agency and the European Union’s Interreg IVB North Sea Region Programme.

The work was contracted to Dean & Dyball Civil Engineering Ltd and the structure was fabricated by Tema Engineering in Wales. Gardiner & Theobald acted as quantity surveyors.