Scheme restores navigation of the harbour and celebrates its heritage.
Our impact
200+
Lydney Harbour 200+ years of age
6m
Height of silt build-up
11m
Height of outer sea gates
14m
Tidal range of the Bristol Channel
Scheduled ancient monument
Lydney Harbour in Gloucestershire is more than 200 years old and scheduled as an ancient monument. In 2015, the outer sea gates failed in an open position, making the harbour unnavigable.
The £2.1m project involved making the harbour operational again while also celebrating its heritage. A key task was a complex operation to remove 6m of silt within a short timescale, while protecting sensitive local habitats and endangered species within the Bristol Channel estuary. Alongside the silt removal, the giant outer sea gates were removed and refurbished before being placed back in position.
Lyndey Harbour is visited by hundreds of visitors daily who like to walk around the area, visit the café on-site or simply sit and enjoy the setting. Our work could not impact the community with a full site closure and all construction methodologies had to ensure the safety of the general public.
Balancing act: Vehicle movements are restricted to protect wildlife including over-wintering as well as nesting birds.
Work had to be scheduled around low-tide working windows.
Work around tides
The giant outer sea gates, measuring 5m wide by 11m tall, were removed using a 350-tonne crane and taken away on a lorry with a police escort to the premises of supply chain partner Centregreat at nearby Bridgend, south Wales where they were refurbished.
Due to the 14m tidal range of the Bristol Channel – one of largest tidal ranges in the world – and the protected designation of Lydney Harbour, tight project management was required to plan and manage multiple subcontractors and activities around the low tide working window which fluctuates daily.
Work also had to be scheduled around neap and spring tides, further complicating the project and our ability to install temporary works.
Historic stonework
Preserving the heritage of the harbour was essential. We replaced period features, such as the ornate railings, with suitable alternatives and carried out repairs to the outer walls.
Jackson also oversaw removal of vegetation along the inner basin and marina, uncovering stunning historic stonework and coal chutes that give the harbour a unique feel and contribute to the historic value of the site.
Lydney Harbour has now been restored to its former use as a safe and navigable harbour, enjoyed by the local community and the thousands of people who visit throughout the year.
Historic stonework was uncovered as part of the restoration project.
