On the back of picking up a top industry safety award Clacton Pier is getting its annual inspection and maintenance of rides underway.
The seven week project starts on Wednesday November 6 with an outside team of inspectors on site.
Each ride will undergo a complete strip down and check over, similar to an MOT for a car.
The comprehensive programme will involve closing the rides which will reopen on December 27.
The exceptions are the Big Wheel and the Dodgems – which will be inspected at a later date – and will continue to be available along with all the indoor attractions which will not be affected.
As well as the inspections, the pier’s in-house technical services team will carry out maintenance of the rides and ride deck to ensure they are in the best possible shape for visitors.
General Manager Harry Peek said the closure of the rides for a set period this year is considered the best and safest way of carrying out the work.
“We spend more than £1million on maintenance every year and try, wherever possible, to do it piecemeal and keep attractions open, closing just a few at a time,” he added.
“However, we have decided that to close the rides for the seven weekends up to Christmas will give us the best opportunity to bring in the inspectors; we can also do those jobs we would like to undertake on a structure which is more than 150-years-old.
“The pier is an iconic and historic landmark that needs looking after and it is all about preserving it for future generations to enjoy.”
Mr Peek said the initiative is all part of the attraction’s regular and routine maintenance to ensure rides meet the very highest possible industry standards.
“Safety of our customers and staff is of paramount importance to us and will never be compromised.
“Checks by independent outside contractors give us that extra layer of confidence over and above our own daily checks and routine inspections. These inspectors are the experts and specialists in what they do.”
Last month the pier collected the inaugural Amusement Device Inspection Procedures Scheme (ADIPS) Safety Award for the Pursuit of Excellence.
