08 August 2006
The Transport and Technical Services Department will start work on replacing the main gates and adjacent railings to the front of Howard Davis Park on Monday 20 March 2006.
In recent years, the gates and railings have corroded to such an extent that their continued maintenance was no longer practical or cost effective. The cross section design of the railings is rare and the Planning Department was keen that any replacement railings should match, as closely as possible, the existing pattern to maintain the character of the park.
This has meant that the steel for the railings has had to be specifically manufactured to match the original design, with St Helier Ironworks doing the fabrication and installation. It has been possible to reuse the existing finials (the adornments on the tops), the letters on the gates and the hinges, with all other sections being replaced with new. However, some finials have had to be re-cast to replace those that have gone missing over the years.
The project had been on hold for the last three years to enable the department to secure the funds necessary to carry out the replacement works. A section of these railings was replaced last year on the Don Road side of the park and the gates and front section of the railings will complete the replacement project. The works will cost £114,000 and will take four weeks to complete.
Park users will be asked to use the Don Road entrance whilst work is being undertaken on the main gates.
“ Howard Davis Park is a very popular and well used public amenity. Transport and Technical Services Parks and Gardens staff do a wonderful job maintaining the grounds in an immaculate state for the enjoyment of locals and visitors alike and it’s only appropriate that the surrounding infrastructure complements their efforts.” said Deputy Guy de Faye, Minister for Transport and Technical Services. “Accordingly, the Department is very pleased that, at last, the railings and gates can be returned to their former glory”
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