Preserving Dover's Port Heritage

Plans to refurbish some of Dover port's iconic buildings are under way as part of Dover Harbour Board's project to preserve listed properties over the next 3-4 years.

Following the successful refurbishment of the Port's three lighthouses last year, attention has turned to other listed buildings including the Grade II Cruise Terminal 1 and the covered walkway on Admiralty Pier 1.

The preliminary design stage for this £10 million project is underway and it is hoped that the detailed design will begin in autumn 2011.

The complete removal and replacement of Cruise Terminal 1's steel and glass cathedral-style roof will be a major undertaking. The roof, although previously refurbished after war damage, has deteriorated along with the roof access walkways and protective barriers. A new permanent roof system will be designed to allow safe access for future maintenance and will also be sympathetic to the existing modifications and to the Listed Building requirements.

The new roof, formed of laminated glazing, will need to withstand impact damage from wave-thrown shingle from the adjacent Shakespeare Beach as well as the constant wave spray and waves themselves on stormier days. Striking a balance between strengthening the structure while not impacting on the appearance will also be a challenge for the port's development team, but one they are determined to meet.

The remaining steelwork will be locally repaired and also repainted, removing the existing lead paint. Vertical cracks in masonry walls will be repaired and sealed to prevent cracking in the future.

Mike Krayenbrink, Director of Port Development said: "Our heritage projects will protect these iconic structures for another century for the enjoyment of all who see and use them. It will enhance the appearance of Dover's Cruise Terminal in the Western Docks, with the works returning a grand Victorian building back to its former glory and contributing towards the regeneration of the Western Docks ahead of Terminal 2."