Piling work is now underway at One Basin, as part of a major restoration project designed to protect and preserve one of the site’s most significant historic assets.
The works mark an important milestone in the regeneration of One Basin, balancing the demands of modern engineering with the careful conservation of a nationally important heritage site.
Originally constructed under the direction of renowned naval engineer Samuel Bentham, One Basin and Six Dock form part of a unique maritime landscape that has played a vital role in the Royal Navy’s history for centuries. Both structures were granted Grade I listed status in recognition of their exceptional historic and architectural importance.
Working alongside our supply chain partner Mackley, KBS Maritime has begun installing a series of piles that will form two temporary cofferdams on either side of the existing One Basin caisson. These temporary structures will create a dry working area, allowing essential repairs and replacement works to be carried out safely.
The scale of the operation is impressive. Each pile measures 28 metres in length, weighs between 18 and 28 tonnes, and is driven around 10 metres into the London clay beneath the basin floor. The process starts with the installation of king which are carefully positioned by crane and driven into place using a combination of vibrating and mechanical hammers. Once installed, interlocking soldier (A-Z) piles are slotted between them to create a sealed wall. While the machinery may be huge, its incredibly intricate work. The piles must slot together precisely, leaving very little margin for error.
Once the cofferdams are complete and the area has been dewatered, the current caisson will be removed and replaced with a newly constructed unit. The new caisson will then be tested to ensure it seals correctly before the temporary structures are removed.
Throughout the project, preserving the site’s heritage remains a key priority.
Historic features uncovered during the works are being carefully protected, including original Roman numeral carvings dating back to the construction of Six Dock.
While the piling activity may be one of the more visible and audible stages of the project, it represents a significant step towards conserving an important part of Britain’s maritime heritage for future generations.
