A landmark feature of Ryde Esplanade has returned to its rightful place after undergoing a major restoration to safeguard its future for generations to come.
The iconic Eastern Gardens arch was reinstated on the seafront this week (Thursday), more than 2 months after it was carefully removed to allow for extensive repair and conservation work.
The restoration project was delivered through a partnership between the Isle of Wight Council and Ryde Town Council, with the aim of protecting one of the town’s best-known historic features from further weather damage while preserving its original appearance.
Having been dismantled towards the end of April, the arch underwent a painstaking restoration process, with sections stripped back and cleaned before being reattached.
Parts that had suffered significant corrosion were carefully recreated to match the original design, ensuring the structure retained its historic character.
The work was carried out by local firm, ISM Solutions, with the majority of the restoration completed on the Isle of Wight. The metalwork was galvanised on the mainland due to the lack of suitable facilities locally before being repainted using a specialist epoxy coating designed to improve its durability against the elements.
Isle of Wight Council’s Service Director for Waste, Environment and Planning, Natasha Dix, said:
“We are proud to see the Eastern Gardens arch restored to its former glory and to make sure that this much-loved landmark continues to be enjoyed by residents and visitors for years to come. We have preserved an important piece of Ryde’s history with this work.
“A project like this shows what we can do when working with town councils like Ryde Town Council, and we have shown once again our shared commitment to protecting the Island’s unique heritage.”
Mayor of Ryde and chair of Ryde Town Council’s Environment and Community Protection Committee, Councillor Karen Lucioni, added:
“This project is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when local partners come together with a shared vision.
“The restoration of the Eastern Gardens arch reflects the strong collaboration between the Isle of Wight Council, Ryde Town Council and local contractors, and the pride our community has in protecting its heritage.”
Will Thomas, Managing Director of ISM Solutions, said the company was honoured to be involved in the project.“It’s a privilege to help restore such an important historic feature to Ryde’s seafront and bring it back to its former glory.
“As a business, we are committed to continual investment to remain at the forefront of our industry.
“For this project, we’re employing modern innovation, using technologies such as 3D scanning and advanced laser cutting.
“This allows us not only to faithfully recreate the original, but also to deliver it in a far more efficient and cost-effective way than would be possible using purely traditional methods.”
Community Planning Officer at Ryde Town Council, Chris Turvey, said the collaboration between the local authority and the town council had been vital.
“Without the partnership between Ryde Town Council and the Isle of Wight Council, this valuable heritage item could have been lost.”
