Plymouth’s landmarks get some TLC

A £500,000 programme of safety and maintenance works across several of Plymouth’s best known landmarks will get underway in the autumn.

The programme of works include resurfacing the children’s pool at Mount Wise, stabilising the Cliff face at West Hoe and demolishing the old fruit store in How Street.

Council Leader Tudor Evans approved the funding for the project and said: “We want to make sure Plymouth remains an enjoyable place to live and visit so these works are absolutely essential.

“We have a limited pot of money so we need to do as much with that money as we possibly can, so we look after the assets in Plymouth that mean the most to people.

“We already have climbers up on the cliffs at West Hoe repairing the adverse effects of the elements so this area can be brought back into use.”

The full programme of work includes:

West Hoe cliff stabilisation – The cliff face to the east of West Hoe Park has begun to erode and break away causing rocks to fall to the shrubbery and public footpath below. A programme of stabilisation is required to prevent further erosion and allow the footpath and gardens below to be brought back into use.

Repairs to Elizabethan and Merchant Houses –These include extensions/upgrades to electrical systems including alarms. The repairs also include structural timbers which due to the age and status of the building require specialist treatment and conservation.

Replacement lift at Tinside –The lift within the Lido needs a major overhaul. Regular repairs have been undertaken to keep the lift in operation, but this year the repairs indicate that replacement is the best option for future years.

Mount Wise pools repairs –The complete surface to the children’s pool needs to be replaced due to on-going damage form the elements in the winter months.

How Street demolition – The former fruit store in the Marquand building on How Street has been closed for several years and is in a dilapidated condition, although boarded up the building is vulnerable to trespassers.

Retaining walls at Crabtree Close – Retaining walls are in a poor condition and need to be stabilised.

The works will be finished in time for the start of the summer season in May 2016.