Project details
South Queensferry Harbour is a Category B listed structure, which is owned and managed by the City of Edinburgh Council. The harbour is accessible to the public forming part of a busy waterfront, and is used by the Queensferry Boat Club for the mooring of private yachts. Following a condition report, the council determined the need to undertake several bespoke repairs to maintain stability of the structure, and to ensure the safety of the public. Awarded as an NEC Option E contract, Southbay worked closely with both the council and their design partner to determine the most cost-effective repairs. This involved the careful selection of materials used in completing the works in accordance with the harbours listed status.
Given the location of the project, initial works included erecting fencing and signage to segregate the public from the site. Working from a man riding basket, marine growth was then removed from the North Pier, allowing a detailed defect survey to clarify the scope of repointing works. Existing joints were then raked and cleaned prior to repointing of brickwork; this process was also undertaken across a section of the East Pier. Several voids were identified throughout the North Pier. Following the removal of existing paving, a drilling rig was used to core holes into the structure prior to grouting. To stabilise the North Pier, a proposal was developed to install an anchor block system. This involved excavating a section of the pier prior to the installation of temporary shuttering. A total of 4no. core holes were then drilled into the outer face of the pier, allowing the installation of tie bars through the location of the anchor block. This allowed for the pouring of concrete to complete the block, prior to the tensioning of the tie bars. The excavated area was then backfilled using granular fill, with paving reinstated. Further works included the removal of marine growth from existing access steps. This allowed for the repair/ reconstruction of damaged areas of concrete. All steps replaced were prefabricated before being lifted onto a bed of specialist marine mortar and fixed into position using dowels and resin. To compete repairs to the steps, the existing handrailing systems was replaced.
Located next to the town centre with reduced access to the site, the project involved a significant third-party interface. A bespoke traffic management plan was produced, which identified suitable roads for plant and vehicles to access the site. Outside of this, a small site compound was constructed within a public car park adjacent to the harbour, which reduced vehicle movements through pedestrian areas. Further considerations included the limited loading capacity of the North Pier, which restricted the site team to using a 5t mini crane.
