It is nearly three years since I placed before you a copy of our own Engineer's report into the condition of the Queen's Pier together with their conclusions and recommendations. In the interval the Department of Transport submitted their own long awaited report to Tynwald in April 2001. Tynwald then instructed the Department to undertake a further full survey to obtain costs for full refurbishment and maintenance of the Pier by October 2001. The Department selected the Morton Partnership and their report was received by Tynwald in due time. This was a very thorough survey which put the cost of restoration, based on their brief to replace like with like, at close to £10m. Obviously should Tynwald find this acceptable we would be amongst the first to applaud their commitment to preserving the Manx Heritage in their stewardship.

Being realists, the Friends have always maintained that refurbishment at a much lower figure could be achieved by the use of modern materials and methods where this would not detract from the 'heritage' aspect. The Island would thus regain the use of its Pier whilst retaining the Victorian appearance as part of the much-admired landscape of Ramsey Bay. To this end we commissioned an up-date of our report, at our members expense, and a copy is enclosed herewith. You will see (on Page 2) that our Consultants are one of the most experienced in their field and are responsible for the maintenance and repair of many piers in the United Kingdom, where there is a resurgence of enlightened interest in Piers and similar Victorian Structures. Their revised costs at the end of the report vary between £2.5m and £4.5m and are considered quite robust.

We would emphasise that we are aware that we are dealing here with a Registered Structure, which will place strictures on what can and cannot be done. However the Friends have always maintained that such works that are now recommended could be approved by the Department of Local Government under Registered Building Consent without impacting on the aesthetic and visual quality of the structure or the landscape of its surrounds. The Manx Government as owners have the ultimate responsibility for the care of the Pier and must discharge this responsibility whilst providing an example of good practice to other owners. As signatories to the European Convention for the Protection of the Architectural Heritage they have a commitment to our heritage.

We commend our report to you as a realistic way forward in returning the Pier to use whilst meeting these obligations.

The late Queen Mother and Dowager Lady of Man was the last Royal to use the Pier and I can think of no finer tribute to her memory than by starting the long awaited refurbishment of the Queen's Pier in the Golden Jubilee year of her daughter, Queen Elizabeth and Lord of Man.

Yours sincerely,

F W Hodgson,

Chairman.