Ports & Infrastructure
North Shields Fish Quay Jetty Renewal
North Shields, Tyne & Wear
Structural renewal of a key jetty at North Shields Fish Quay, safeguarding port activity and supporting long-term fishing industry operations.
Client: North Shields Fish Quay Company
cost
£3.5M
duration
14 Months
Project Management
Cost Management
Employer's Agent
The Opportunity
TPI was appointed to manage the renewal of a structurally compromised section of jetty at North Shields Fish Quay. The existing jetty had been closed for five years due to health and safety concerns, limiting access and operational capacity. The project involved constructing a new steel tubular piled concrete jetty directly over and around the old one, along with a new landward wave wall to protect moored vessels within the Gut. The completed works reinstated two critical berthing facilities and significantly improved the viability of the wider fish quay.
The Challenges
Delivered within a live fishing environment, the project demanded ongoing collaboration with local businesses and the fishing community. Piling operations posed a major logistical challenge, as the old jetty could not support crane loads. TPI assessed multiple approaches, ultimately implementing a bespoke moving temporary grillage system that safely transferred the crane load onto new piles during construction. This method allowed the project to progress efficiently without marine-based plant.
The Outcome
The successful delivery of the new jetty has restored full functionality to the Fish Quay and safeguarded the future of North Shields’ fishing industry. It reactivates essential berthing space, protects one of England’s busiest langoustine ports, and supports 56 local businesses and 300 jobs, reinforcing the site’s role as a vital hub for the English North Sea fishing sector.