A £750,000 project on urgent works to the Inner Basin dock gates and lifting bridge at Ramsgate Harbour has been completed.
The gates and lift bridge at the harbour are used twice a day, every day, which had started to put pressure on old and obsolete equipment.
The Inner Basin accommodates approximately 212 vessels on floating pontoons, at the Inner Marina. The water level in the Inner Basin is retained at high tide by the flap gate and the mitre gates.
These are both in a formed channel through the crosswall between the Inner and Outer Basins of Ramsgate Harbour which provides vessel access.
The lifting bridge provides pedestrian/vehicular access across the channel when the gates are closed and can then be raised clear when they are open to allow the passage of tall vessels through the channel.
This system of retaining water in the Inner Basin is unusual as it is not a traditional sea lock and must be operated four times a day – two hours before high tide and two hours after high tide, meaning the equipment is in constant use.
Thanet council decided to carry our the refurbishment works to ensure smooth running of the equipment and a constant sufficient water level within the Inner Basin where the majority of boats are moored permanently.
The bridge was removed for refurbishment, together with the tilting lock gate The equipment was then placed on a floating crane barge.
Today (August 13) the bridge and gate were reinstalled into their correct positions.
Photos and photo commentary with thanks to resident Simon Crow.