News & Events
Sea Change Project Update
Making waves on the Esplanade
Dover’s Esplanade is about to make waves, literally, with a new
£2M design that will allow visitors to the seafront to enjoy it
even more – part-funded by the Sea Change project. The refresh will
provide increased areas for recreation, linking in with the new Sea
Sports Centre and will create more opportunities for all to enjoy
the seafront. The project is formed of three new ‘waves’. The
Lifting Wave, the Resting Wave and the Light Wave design will
reflect and visualise the surrounding attractions of the seafront
and white cliffs.
The Lifting Wave is a series of sculptural ramps and stairs that
rise and fall to connect the beach to the Esplanade.
The Resting Wave is a sculptural retaining wall that provides
sheltered spaces along the length of the Esplanade with weathered
oak benches.
The Light Wave is a sculptural line of white columns that bring
improved lighting and safety to the Esplanade. The lighting can be
controlled to create a dynamic wave movement.
The Programme of works
It is anticipated that the works on the Esplanade will start in
mid March and be completed by the end of June. These will be
carried out in three phases:
Phase 1 is to clear the site (the section of Esplanade from the
new Sea Sports Centre to the slipway near the sculpture of the two
cross-Channel swimmers) and install the foundations for two
waves. Completion is due at the end of April.
Phase 2 The lifting and resting wave to be installed over a
four-week period.
Phase 3 Light wave to be installed. The new lawns will be
created behind the resting wave and the promenade resurfaced. This
will be due for completion at the end of June.
Although the promenade and parts of the beach will be closed
during these works safe access to the open sections of the beach
will be maintained. Waterloo Crescent will not be
affected.
For more information, please
contact:
Kent County Council Call Centre on:
08458 247 800
North Downs Way End of Trail Marker
As part of the Esplanade refresh, an end of
trail marker is being commissioned to mark the new finish of the
famous North Downs Way National Trail on Dover’s seafront. The
trail previously ended in Dover’s Market Square but it has now been
extended to the Esplanade. The marker will also highlight the
pilgrimage route along the Downs from Canterbury to Rome and
encourage the health benefits of walking for fitness and fun.
Funding for the End of Trail Marker has been made available by
the NHS in East Kent. Dover Arts Development was appointed to
organise the commissioning process of finding an artist to develop
a design, which will be integrated in the new Esplanade. Look out
in the press for updates on the project.
Cultural Survey
Sea Change and Dover Pride partners commissioned a cultural
survey of Dover last autumn and more than 200 residents and local
businesses took part. The survey looks at what local people like
about Dover, what benefits there already are, what improvements
they want to see and how culture can continue to grow over the next
ten years. The benefits of cultural growth include an enhanced
environment for Dover and it also helps to strengthen links within
the community and creates new opportunities for recreation,
employment and tourism. The report, with findings and
recommendations, will be available soon.
Background Notes
Sea Change is a funding program from CABE (the commission for
Architecture and the Built Environment). CABE is a
Government-funded organisation whose aim, through the Sea Change
programme, is to drive cultural and creative regeneration and
economic growth in seaside towns. The other funders in the Sea
Change programme in Dover are Dover Pride partners: English
Heritage, KCC, DDC, Dover Harbour Board and SEEDA.
PRESS RELEASE
March 17, 2010
ESPLANADE WORKS
MARKED WITH GROUND BREAKING EVENT
Dover’s new £2M esplanade design – part-funded by the Sea
Change programme - was marked by a ground breaking
today by Kevin Lynes, Kent County Council Cabinet member for
Regeneration and Chairman of Dover Pride and Paul
Watkins - Leader of Dover District Council and Vice Chair of Dover
Pride .
Kevin Lynes said: "Dover Esplanade is one of those very special
places to visit, with its beautiful views across the English
Channel. Local people are justifiably passionate about their
area, as they proved when we consulted with them on the Sea
Change programme. I'm pleased that we've been able to
incorporate their passion into our plans, and that works are now
underway to make the Esplanade another great reason to visit
Dover."
The esplanade refresh, initially designed by architects Tonkin
Liu, and then refined following feedback from the local
community and user groups, will provide increased areas for
recreation, linking in with the new Sea Sports Centre and will
create more opportunities for all to enjoy the seafront.
Bill Fawcus of Dover Harbour Board commented that: "Following
the recent completion of the sea sports centre, which is now open
to the public, this is a further step in the process of
transforming Dover's waterfront into one of the best in the
country".
The project is formed of three new ‘waves’. The Lifting Wave,
the Resting Wave and the Light Wave design will reflect and
visualise the surrounding attractions of the seafront and white
cliffs.
The Lifting Wave is a series of sculptural ramps and stairs that
rise and fall to connect the beach to the Esplanade.
The Resting Wave is a sculptural retaining wall that provides
sheltered spaces along the length of the Esplanade with weathered
oak benches.
The Light Wave is a sculptural line of white columns that bring
improved lighting and safety to the Esplanade. The lighting can be
controlled to create a dynamic wave movement.
The Programme of works
The works have started and should be completed by the end of
June. These will be carried out in three phases:
Phase 1 is to clear the site (the
section of Esplanade from the new Sea Sports Centre to the slipway
near the sculpture of the two cross-Channel swimmers) and install
the foundations for two waves. Completion is due at the end
of April.
Phase 2 The lifting and resting wave
to be installed over a four-week period.
Phase 3 Light wave to be installed.
The new lawns will be created behind the resting wave and the
promenade resurfaced. This will be due for completion at the end of
June.
Although the promenade and parts of the beach will be closed
during these works safe access to the open sections of the beach
will be maintained. Waterloo Crescent will not be
affected.
For more information, please
contact:
KentCountyCouncil Call
Centre on: 08458 247 800
Notes to Editors:
Sea Change is a funding programme from
CABE (the commission for Architecture and the Built Environment).
CABE is a Government-funded organisation whose aim, through the Sea
Change programme, is to drive cultural and creative regeneration
and economic growth in seaside towns. The funding partners in the
Sea Change programme in Dover are Dover Pride partners: English
Heritage, KCC, DDC, Dover Harbour Board and SEEDA.
Press Contact:
Jodi Eeles – 01622 684407 –
jodi@pillorybarn.co.uk