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Geoff Wallis C.Eng. MIMech.E

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Apprentice at Rolls Royce Aero Engines, Bristol

Degree in Mech Eng. with French, Bath University

Director & MD Dorothea Restorations Ltd, 1975-2007

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Newcomen Society, President 2013-15

National Heritage Ironwork Group, Founder, Chair of Standards Committee

West Dean College, Ironwork Conservation Masterclass Leader

Museum of Bath at Work, Trustee

Bulgarian Partners Trust, Founder & Trustee

Avon Buildings Trust, Volunteer Leader, Brunel Swivel Bridge Project

Association for Industrial Archaeology, Council

Occasional lecturer to SPAB, Bath & Cardiff Universities, & others

Consultant 2008 - ongoing

Industrial & Maritime Heritage around Cumberland Basin

HCCA 8^th November 2021

City Docks Conservation Area

Character Appraisal & Management Proposals Dec 2011. Bris City Council

CITY DOCKS CONSERVATION AREA CHARACTER AREA No1

WESTERN HARBOUR PROJECT AREA

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Significance or Heritage Value

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Conservation Principles, Policies, and Guidance, Historic England

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Evidential values: The potential of the fabric of the building to yield

primary evidence.

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Historical values: the way in which the building provides a means of connecting the present to past people, events, and aspects of life, both by illustrating social history, and its association with notable people and events.

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Aesthetic values: the way in which people derive sensory and intellectual

stimulation from the building; and

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Communal values: the meaning of the building for the people who identify

with it and whose collective memory it holds.

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Evidence of commercial achievement

• The investments and success of Bristol’s investors, venturers, merchants, ship-owners/captains, & traders.
• Tobacco industry and Bedminster’s once-significant leather industry.

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Evidence of technological change

• The increasing size of ships requiring larger locks, better aligned with the river.
• Developing technology, from stone to concrete, manual to hydraulic power, wrought/cast iron to steel, riveting to welding.
• Increasing road traffic requiring wider, stronger bridges.
• Demise of rail-traffic, rise in road traffic.

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Technological Innovation

• Jessop’s original lock design.
• Brunel’s innovative designs: lock, lock-gates, and swivel bridge.
• Hennebique’s & Coignet’s reinforced concrete systems.
• Thomas Ware’s entrepreneurial developments.
• Underfall Yard businesses use a combination of traditional & modern techniques

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Sense of Place

• Gateway of Bristol’s shipping entering & exiting the Floating Harbour, emblematic of our trade with the empire and influence on world trade.
• Confluence of the old route of the Avon/New Cut and the Floating Harbour, requiring major civil works to manage shipping, land-traffic, & control flood-water and silt.
• The first and last point of contact for Bristol’s seafarers with their City.

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Communal & Aesthetic Values

• ‘Lung’ providing breathing space.
• Mixed vistas of industrial, maritime, residential and countryside.
• Recreational space with free access for pedestrians and cyclists.
• Visual and technological interest from diverse engineering structures, buildings, dock-furniture, interpretation boards, etc.
• ‘Super-human’ scale of waterways, docks, and bridges.

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• THREATS

Threats

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Neglect

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• Decay in stone, metal & timber
• Damage from vegetation
• Silting

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Leads to:

• Vandalism, graffiti, unsocial behaviour
• Reduced public pride, usage and care for assets
• Decline and risk of eventual loss

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Ignorance, inaction

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• Bristol City councillors and officers
• Heritage/history/amenity societies ( …… ‘Covid Collapse’ & ageing membership)
• Bristol residents

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Threats

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Lack of Statutory Protection

• Junction Lock
• Junction Lock Swing-Bridge, Merchant’s Road
• North Entrance Lock
• Entrance lock toll office, main office, bollards, capstans, etc.
• Thomas Ware tannery works buildings

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Re-development

• Possible Western Harbour scheme (….is also potentially an opportunity)

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Lack of human & financial resources

• Bristol City -- owners
• Historic England – statutory advisors
• Local voluntary societies –where the energy came from in the past

Advantages:

• Will be restored in short term
• Better maintained than under BCC control
• Not subject to flooding
• Immediate increase in visibility & footfall
• Fundable scheme

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Disadvantages:

• Bridge taken out of context. Is historically integral part of Brunel’s Lock.
• Loss of a major heritage asset could seriously affect the prospects of other assets in the area.
• Evidence of road-crossing may be eradicated, and reason to reinstate it lost
• Technical & financial risk. Risk to the weakened structure
• Pay to view

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Move of Brunel Swivel Bridge to Albion Dockyard

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Part of £10m application

submitted to NLHF Feb 2021

Opportunities

• Improved road system, possible new bridge across the Avon
• New housing & leisure uses
• Improved appearance of area
• Restored & interpreted historic features
• Enhanced public pride in area leading to increased care and use
• New destination to increase Bristol’s ‘offer’ to residents & visitors

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How can you help?

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• Join the Bristol Civic Society, Western Harbour Group
• Put your views on ‘Harbour Hopes’
• Researchers needed
• Join the Swivel Bridge monthly Volunteers’ Workdays

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• Send you e-mail address to Jandgwallis @ gmail.com

if you would like to go onto our newsletter database.

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QUESTIONS & DISCUSSION