Restoration Work to Southend Pier (Timber Preservation)

Southend Pier is Southend’s most well-known landmark. It is a Grade II listed building and is the longest pleasure pier in the world, extending 1.34 miles into the Thames Estuary. Such is the connection between the pier and Southend that the poet Sir John Betjeman once commented that “the pier is Southend, Southend is the pier.”

The pier was originally constructed in 1830 and has existed in its current form since the 1890s. In the years since the pier has survived boat crashes, fires, two world wars, and economic decline. Most recently, in October 2005 a large section of the pier was damaged by fire.

Timber Preservation

Preparation prior to application of timber preservative

As part of ongoing restoration work being carried out by Pavehall PLC, the timbers forming part of the walkway ramp at the shore end of the pier were found to be badly in need of protection against fungal decay. Specialist contractors & surveyors, DWC were therefore called in to carry out diagnosis and preservation work to the timbers in conjunction with their sister company, Preservation Treatments.

Because of the historic nature of the pier, it was decided that it was important to retain as many of the original timbers as possible. To this end, joists that were judged to be of good integrity were left insitu and treated with ProBor timber treatments upto one metre along their length. ProBor treatments are able to penetrate deeply into timber, providing in-depth protection.