Walton-on-the-Naze Pier (EHER 3575)

The pier at Walton-on-the Naze was built in 1898 to replace one erected in 1830. It was initially home to an electric tramway, which was later replaced with a narrow gauge railway. The pier was damaged by fire in 1942 and rebuilt ahead of the 1948 summer season.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import. New Walton Pier, built to replace one erected in 1830. The new pier was originally 800 feet (243.8 m) long but by 1937 it was 2,600 feet long (792.5 metres). Most of the original is covered by modern amusement arcades and the pier is carried on a dense mass of concrete and wood piles. It is owned by Walton Pier Co. Ltd. <1> <2> <3> <4> The National Piers Society guide <5> suggest that New Walton Pier was originally built in 1870-1871 (this differs from the other sources). The rebuild in 1898 was prompted by the shallow depth of water at the pier head making landing by larger boats difficult. The rebuild included a single line electric tramway. In 1942 the pier (including its railway) was damaged by fire. It was rebuilt for the 1948 season. The reopened pier used a diesel locomotive, until it closed in the 1970s. there weas further (storm) damage to the pier in the 1970s. Modern facilities at the pier include a roofed amusement arcade at the shoreward end of the pier. The pier is thought to be the third largest in the country. <5> A website with a feature on Essex piers includes old images of Walton pier. It also notes the addition of a new lifeboat berth in 2005. Image of pier railway locomotive from Walton pier: this appears to be a steam, rather than electric or diesel locomotive. <6> The rebuilt pier opened in 1898 with a 3 foot six inch gauge electric tramway, which was replaced by a battery car in 1936. it was damaged in 1942 and when the pier opened in 1948 it was with a 2-foot gauge railway. <7> The initial version of this record based on archive materials at the NMR may be erroneous in suggesting that the original method of the tramway was steam. <8> <9> states that the wooden pier built in 1830 was 330ft (100.5m) long. Later there were, for a time, 2 piers. The existing structure was extended to its present length of 2,610ft (795.5m) in 1898, when the electric-train drive was inaugurated. <9> <10> states that Walton-on-the-Naze pier was rebuilt in 1895 by J. Cochrane and Son. The initial revenue for the original pier built in 1830 was landing dues for passengers and goods. <11> Illustrations of the pier. <12> Additional sources <13> <14>