GCdCS Executive Committee members met the Project Manager, Dawn Brown of Engie at New Osbourne House, and walked to the Minister where we were introduced to the Site Engineer Lloyd Fisher. Work already undertaken was outlined by Dawn & the Engineer including the removal, and plans for the replacing, of the Fisherman's Memorial, and that the artist had been consulted on whether a place could be built into it for the placement of wreaths/flowers left by descendants etc. The paving has been removed and a concrete base laid for the stone paving to be relaid. The cross path to the Minster door, via the Labyrinth, will have Adrian Riley's artwork etched into it. The raised seating is taking shape, with the tiers clearly visible. The brick paving around the end of the Minster is yet to be removed, cleaned and replaced. We were informed that the work is running to schedule despite the current situation.
We went on to look at what is happening at Garth Lane. Dawn is not leading this project, so was unable to take us onto the site itself. There have been problems with the brickwork facing the Haven, not helped by the length of time it has been open to the elements. Dawn explained some of the options open to the contractors such as underpinning the wall; though there is no visible signs of sagging, there is a serious lack of mortar in a lot of the brickwork (mainly as a result of the arson attack 10 years ago). We were shown the extent of the site and had the sighting of the proposed new footbridge explained to us. Noting both the amount of algae which needs clearing from the Haven, and weeds on the footpath along the waterfront, we talked about organising at least a weeding day to make the area a feature that the Town deserves.
We asked Dawn if she would ask the Site Manager at Garth Lane to contact us with a view to getting on the site itself. It was, nevertheless, I think, a very worthwhile visit to both sites, and it gave us a visible opportunity for GC&DCS.
Alan Nicholson, Chair
31st July 2020