Western Hangar Refurbishment Complete

: Milford Haven Port Authority’s Engineering Director Andrew Brown (right) celebrates completion of the Western Hangar refurbishment by handing over operational use of the facility back to Pembroke Port Manager, Mike Ashworth.; Image by: MHPA

by Mariam Moazzen

May 15, 2007

Both of the historic Sunderland Hangars at Pembroke Port are now fully restored to their former glory, following the recent completion of a two-phase refurbishment programme managed by Milford Haven Port Authority's (MHPA) Engineering Division.

Following the successful refurbishment of Eastern Hangar last year, the Authority was awarded further financial support from the European Regional Development Fund under the Objective One Programme.

Additional money was also received from the Heritage Lottery Fund under the Pembroke Dock Townscape Heritage Initiative. This money was ploughed into a comprehensive programme of works that has now been successful in transforming Western Hangar, affording a new facility for the increasing operational activity at Pembroke Port.

Dominating the quayside at Pembroke Port, both Hangars are Grade II Listed (particularly important buildings of more than special interest) and unique architectural structures, celebrated for the part they played in housing the great Sunderland Flying Boats during the Second World War.

Says Milford Haven Port Authority's Engineering Director, Andrew Brown, "Through the funding received, we have been able to preserve the legacy of the Hangars, whilst simultaneously meeting the Port's modern demand for undercover engineering facilities.

"The completion of Western Hangar is of great satisfaction to all involved as both structures are now of equal calibre, and visual appearance."

A Sunderland of 210 Squadron RAF, in early war camouflage.

One of the most famous RAF aircraft of all time, Sunderlands operated from Pembroke Dock for nearly 20 years.

Image by: Pembroke Dock Museum

Undertaken by Swansea based company Dawnus Construction, the refurbishment project involved extensive shot blasting and repainting of the internal steel frame, repairs to the external concrete pillars as well as a new slate roof and external cladding.

Providing a unique combined capacity of 60,000 cubic metres of unobstructed space, the Hangars are valuable modern resources.

As Pembroke Port continues to experience a significant rise in LNG-related activity, both Hangars are in full operational use, currently being occupied by local Engineering firm Ledwood.

Milford Haven Port Authority is responsible for the biggest port in Wales, and the fifth largest port in the UK. One of the most prominent on the West Coast, it is in the heart of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, the only Coastal National Park in Great Britain.

Milford Haven is a trust port - an independent, commercially run organisation, and as a result, the Authority has a statutory responsibility to both Government and its stakeholders, and is required to reinvest all profits to the benefit of the latter. For further information, visit www.mhpa.co.uk

The Authority provides pilotage and a range of port, harbour and associated services including stevedoring, support to the fishing industry, ship repair, marina and leisure facilities and provision and operation of the Pembroke Dock Ferry Terminal used by Irish Ferries.

Print Article Email Article