Toogs Pier - Burra
Description: Inspection of a small pier
Client: Shetland Islands Council
Services: Structural Engineering | Condition Inspection | Options Appraisal
Time Span: 2021
Photos: CASE Shetland, Stewart Douglas, Burra History Group
CASE Shetland undertook a structural engineering and condition inspection of a small pier at Toogs in Burra on behalf of the Shetland Islands Council. This is one of many similar facilities which can be found dotted around the isles, which were once well used but have since fallen into a state of disrepair.
The facility is often referred to as the ‘Nurse’s Pier’ because the local community nurse resided nearby. Before the days of a bridge to Burra, the nurse would have relied on a small boat for much of their travel. Patients would have been taken to see them, and vice-versa. In this regard, the pier would have been an important community asset in its day. However, with the opening of the Burra Bridge in 1971 and the improvements to the road infrastructure, the use of the pier would have declined significantly.
In recent years there appears to have been little use of the Toogs Pier. No commercial boats operate from the pier, and the only use would be occasional small pleasure boats.
As part of our Technical Report we undertook online research and found that improvement works were undertaken to the pier in the mid-1950s. The Burra History Group have a selection of photos which are dated circa 1954 and show a community event marking the official opening of the upgraded pier. With bunting flying and a well-dressed assembly of guests this was clearly a significant day for the isles.
Unfortunately the pier is now in a very poor condition, with extensive cracking of the concrete deck and edge beams. Part of our role was to outline the various options for the future of the pier and to ascertain potential Budget Estimate costs for each. It was then down to the Local Authority to decide how to proceed.
The CASE Shetland team have a long history of undertaking marine works, including a diverse range of projects on behalf of the SIC. If you have an upcoming project which includes a marine aspect then we can offer professional engineering input as required.
