By Isle of Wight Observer
The Isle of Wight Council has recovered the cost of urgent repairs carried out to save the historic hammerhead crane, in Cowes.
The 150ft structure was at risk of collapse because of severe corrosion. After what the council described as a lack of action from the site’s former owners, Urgent Works Notices were issued in 2014 and 2016.
The authority then stepped in to carry out stabilisation works, using Island-based contractors, to protect the Grade II* listed crane.
Funding for the emergency work was provided by Historic England, with repairs carried out to key parts of the structure, including the tower, jib, and ballast box.
Following a series of appeals, the council last year secured a ruling confirming the previous landowners were responsible for the costs, meaning taxpayers will not be left to pay the bill.
The council has since recovered £358,000. After reimbursing officer costs to the public purse, £348,000 has been returned to Historic England.
Lee Byrne, the council’s conservation projects officer, said: “The hammerhead crane is a much-loved landmark that reflects the Island’s proud shipbuilding heritage, and we were determined to see it saved.
“This outcome ensures that the financial burden falls where it should, with the owners.”
Cllr Lora Peacey-Wilcox said: “This has been a hard-fought campaign, and it’s thanks to the support of so many people in the community that we’ve finally achieved the outcome we hoped for.
“I’m absolutely delighted and hugely relieved to see such an important part of our heritage secured for the future.”
The 80-tonne crane, built in the early 1900s, is the only surviving pre-First World War hammerhead crane of its kind in England.
