DEMOLITION of the Queen’s Pier in Ramsey could cost more than twice the sum which has been estimated to make it safe and to secure its long-term future.
Tynwald was told this morning that knocking down the iron pier could be as much as £3 million, compared to the £1.8 million which has been estimated for a series of measures designed to make the structure safe and “mothballed” for a possible future total refurbishment.
The future of the pier is expected to be debated at length in Tynwald later today, but this morning’s questions gave politicians a chance to find out some figures in advance of the motion which proposes that the £1.8 million is approved.
Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne said the demolition cost was estimated as “between £2million and £3 million” but he had no figure when asked for an estimate of the scrap value of the pier. “Metal prices are good at the moment so the scrap value would defer this figure, but I cannot say by how much.”
When asked to justify the demolition costs, Mr Gawne said he had consulted industry experts and had been forced to accept it was not a normal demolition job. “It is a very complicated structure and it’s not just a case of going along with a hacksaw and chopping off bits at a time,” he said.
However, having had initial approval from Tynwald members last year for the spending of £1.8 million, Mr Gawne felt it would now be “extremely embarrassing” if Tynwald were to now decide to demolish the pier.
He also pointed to the possibility of difficulties with the protected buildings register if such a decision were taken, as the pier has been on the register for many years.
He added, “I hope we will be able to persuade government to spend the money to do the minimum to ensure it is kept safe. If Tynwald chooses not to do that then it is for members of Tynwald to decide what exactly we do with it.”
In answer to an additional question, Mr Gawne said that the Manx government currently provides funding for annual maintenance of the pier up to a maximum of £40,000, a figure which was initially determined by Tynwald when the “mothballing” decision was taken in 1993.
The future of the pier is due to be debated in Tynwald later today or possibly tomorrow.
