A
clear-up operation is well underway at Clacton Pier after a small section of
the outside ride deck collapsed into the sea.
Contractors,
management and staff have been working around the tide to remove debris from
the seabed and have it taken away.
The
collapse, which occurred around 11am yesterday, took place while structural
refurbishment work was being carried out to strengthen the existing concrete
deck area which had been home to Stella’s Revenge in readiness for the Looping
Star.
Contractors
were on site within three hours and by 10.30pm the section had been made safe
and around 50 per cent of the rubble had been collected.
By
9.30am today the operation had begun again on the next low tide and extra people
were brought in to make sure the scheme was carried out as quickly as possible.
Director
Billy Ball said every possible resource was put into the clear-up.
“This
was important with Storm Dennis imminent and because as a business we wanted it
to take place without delay,” he added.
“Our
structural engineers were very impressed with the progress that was made in
such a short period of time, less than 24 hours.”
Mr
Ball said that the structural engineers are still assessing the damage and what
may have caused it.
“At
this point we believe that a combination of the effects of last week’s tidal
surge and the removal of Stella’s Revenge from that deck may have made that small
section more vulnerable,” he explained.
“Then
when we started the work yesterday four bays of the existing concrete slabs
failed, and the collapse took place.”
No
one was injured and the damaged area has been completely fenced off.
It
is only part of the outside deck which has been affected and the front indoor
section of the Pier remains open for business as usual. This includes the dodgems,
soft play, golf, bowling, seaquarium, amusements and Boardwalk Bar.
It
had been hoped to open-up a limited number of rides on Monday for half term,
but this has now been delayed until next weekend (22/23) at the earliest.
“We
have had lots of customers turning up to the indoor attractions today and have
been overwhelmed by their good wishes and encouragement,” Mr Ball added.
“We
have received messages from around the world literally, and we are very
grateful to all those who have contacted us by phone, on social media and other
means.
“What
we do ask is that our customers continue to support us by coming to the
attractions we do have open and are contained inside and are in no way affected
by the collapse.
“It
is obviously a difficult time and there is no estimate yet as to when we can
carry out the repairs, but it will very much be business as usual in the
meantime.”
Ends
