Year
1990
Project Type
Creative Design
Location
UK

Bryher Quay, also known as ‘Bar’ or ‘Anneka’s quay’, is one of two quays on Bryher Island, Isles of Scilly. It serves the population with a jetty accessible at low-to-mid tide that was first built in 1990.

An unusual challenge

Director Tim Beckett received a phone call from Anneka Rice, TV presenter of the show Challenge Anneka, asking if he could design and build a quay from nothing in three days.

The result was a 50m long jetty, consisting of a timber deck supported by sand-filled caissons.

It was constructed using recycled or locally sourced materials, many of which were donated, along with the labour and plant equipment for the project. In the face of logistical challenges and poor weather – including a Force 8 gale – the work was completed in four days by volunteers.

The quay has been transformational in improving connectivity between the islands, providing a vital transport link for residents.

The quay serviced its community for 18 years before requiring refurbishment, overcoming the initial scepticism from local residents about the quay’s durability in the island’s harsh marine environment.

 

Refurbishment

In the early 2000s, the Duchy of Cornwall invested £3.5 million for an off-island infrastructure programme, which included refurbishing Bryher Quay.

As the Duchy’s appointed engineer, we returned to investigate the jetty’s condition and assess options. We proposed a refurbishment and extension that would prolong the asset’s life for another 25 years.

The extension added around 12m to the bottom end of the jetty with the addition of two concrete-filled caissons, and the timber deck was replaced with a concrete slab.

Anneka Rice officially opened the upgraded quay in January 2008.

Residents board a small boat using wooden planks and a ladder on the beach. There is no jetty available.
Before the jetty, residents boarded boats directly from the beach using wooden planks and a ladder.
The original caissons were filled with sand.
Volunteers worked through the night.
The first residents arrive to use the new timber jetty.

 

The refurbished jetty replaced the timber with a concrete slab.
Anneka Rice and Tim Beckett during the new quay’s reopening.