Fort Nelson Remedial Works to the West Gate

The following rectification measure to the Upper West Gate are proposed by Hampshire County Council's Property Services Department.

Primary Measures

The left-hand side gate leaf (when viewed from within the Fort), will be dismantled and transported to a specialist metal worker/fabricator's workshop for adjustment to the width of the gate to alleviated the 'pinch point' with the hinges. Following reinstatement of the gate leaf, both gate leaves will be adjusted to ensure they are fully operational, including ensuring they are square, horizontally and vertically level and 'free moving'. (Fig 14)

Secondary Measures

The full refurbishment of 4 No. wheels located at the base of the gates. (Fig 16 &17). The full refurbishment of all the hinges (3 no. to each gate, 6 no. total). (Fig 15)

Aligning the holes in the sliding steel rail with the steel brackets bolted to the gate leaves, to allow the padlocks to be easily installed. (Fig 12).

Installing new galvanised steel sockets (utilised for housing the gate's drop bolts) fitted flush to the concrete road surface to easy operation of the drop bolts. (Fig 18).

The installation of four steel brackets firmly secured to the gate leaf surfaces to allow the two drop down bolts to be held in an upward /open position. (Fig 18)

'Breaking out' refurbishing and re-installation of both arched steel runners sited in the concrete within the road surface. The runners will be set back in new concrete haunches, graded to the surrounding ground level and to allow the wheels of the gates to make contact for the complete travel distance while being operated/opened. (Fig 13)

The installation of new steel guards to underside/base of both gates to prevent the access of vermin to the Fort. (Fig 11 & Fig 12)

Painting the Gate including all associated metal works (hinges, rails, holding down arms, railings etc). These works are to including treating localised areas of rust. All paint colours are to match the existing. (Fig 11 & Fig 12)

Structural Measures

'Raking out' all defective mortar and re-pointing the piers mortar joints and re-setting any loose bricks. All works will use an approved lime mortar. (Fig 21)

Removal of vegetation and trapped debris from the coping stones and subsequently sealing the valley where the sloping coping meets the pier, to prevent water being channelled into the joint. (Fig 24 & 25)

Investigation and remedial works as/if required to the split keystone. (Fig 23)