Work underway to rebuild seawall and slipway on Appledore Maritime Centre site

Work started this week to rebuild the seawall and slipway on the site of the new Appledore Maritime Centre.

The multi-million maritime and green energy research centre aims to work with universities and private companies to bring cutting edge research and investment to the area.

Torridge District Council has appointed South Devon-based TMS Maritime to carry out the next phase of the initial works at the Middle Dock site in Appledore, rebuilding the existing quay wall and slipway wall together with improving the slipway.

Work started yesterday (Monday, April 14) and this week should see the delivery of a crawler crane, piling rig and jack-up barge to site, ready for the team to start piling work on-site.

TMS Maritime is expected to be on site until the autumn and then work will begin to build the Appledore Clean Maritime Innovation Centre, to give it its full name.

The centre was funded by £15.6million from the Levelling Up Fund operated by the previous government and the full cost was originally quoted as more than £17m.

Once up and running, it is intended as a regional focal point for activity across the Celtic Sea and beyond through the provision of workshops and office space, with access to the estuary via the 100 metre Quay Wall and an improved slipway. 

The centre aims to support innovation in fields such as clean propulsion, maritime cyber security, robotics, aquaculture and environmental intelligence.

Sean Kearney, head of communities and place at Torridge District Council, said: “We are delighted to have appointed TMS Maritime to undertake these vital works to improve the Quay Wall, providing improved access for users of building to the estuary. 

“This is a very exciting step in the journey of this project. We hope the delivery of this centre will put Appledore and Torridge at the forefront of innovation and investment in clean maritime energy.”

Will Bailey, and engineer at TMS Maritime, added: “This prestigious development represents a significant investment in the future of sustainable marine technologies, aiming to position Appledore as a hub for research, development, and innovation in the clean maritime sector.

“Our scope of works includes the installation of a new quay wall structure to facilitate improved marine access, provide berthing for vessels supporting clean maritime research, and ensure the long-term resilience of the dock infrastructure.

“The project will involve a combination of mobilisation, piling operations and marine plant operations, all conducted in a live port environment with careful coordination with local stakeholders.”