Refurbishment of Ipswich Wet Dock began last week with the temporary removal of the lock gates each weighing 35 tonnes by an 800 tonne crane.  It provided an opportunity for civil engineers from the Environment Agency and Jackson Civil Engineering to inspect the silt bed and specify the exact requirements for replacement gates.  When completed the work will improve the area’s flood protection.  The gates were lifted back into position last Thursday. The new gates are being tailor made in Holland and will be transported by barge ready for fitting later this year.  Environment Agency project manager Andrew Usborne said the steel gates were 20 to 30-years-old but needed to be replaced because they are cracked.

“They were damaged some time ago when they were slammed shut during a very strong tide, so we have always known they needed to be replaced,” he said.  “Now we are working on a strategy for the protection of Ipswich from flooding and so this has given us an opportunity to put in new gates, which will be the first stage in that work.  The new gates will be taller and designed so they can be extended in future, giving them a longer life and always ensuring they will be high enough.”

Some work in connection with the fittings for the new gates will be carried out between now and June.