THE STORY

Built in 1872 to supply water to the rapidly growing steam network at St Pancras, the Waterpoint is an extremely significant building. Designed by the office of Sir George Gilbert Scott the architect responsible for the magnificent Midland Grand Hotel, the ornate brickwork and elaborate detailing is an indication of the importance of engineering to the Victorians

At around 9m x6m and three stories high, it is an impressive presence. The top floor contains a vast 70 cubic metre capacity cast iron tank that supplied the increasing number of locomotives steaming in and out of the station

In 2001 the development of the new Channel Tunnel Rail Link terminus meant that the Waterpoint was threatened with demolition. As the building was of such architechtural and engineering importance, English Heritage intervened and an agreement was reached with London & Continental Rail to find a way to move it instead. A new site was found 700 metres to the North East overlooking the moorings of St Pancras Cruising Club and the journey began.

Before the journey could begin a survey was undertaken to see how the Waterpoint could be moved. The strength of the original lime and cement mortar meant that dismantling and rebuilding it would cause too much damage to the original materials. Instead, it was decided that the building would be sliced into sections, hoisted onto a transporter and moved by road.

To prepare the building for this historic lift, internal and external concrete beams were cast to create a rigid lifting frame. Each of the sections was estimated to weigh 120 tonnes. Diamond toothed chain saws were used to cut through walls half a metre thick and operated through a 6mm wide course of mortar to keep damage to the bricks to a minimum. Water from the tank itself was used to keep the blades cool as they cut through the mortar.

The bottom section shared a wall with St Pancras Cellars and was in poor condition so could not be saved. A replica was constructed at the new site using specially manufactured bricks to match the originals, along with a proportion of stone salvaged from the original plinth.

The two top sections were lifted by one of the largest mobile cranes in the UK and lowered onto their own specialised transporters for the painstaking 700 metre journey. A second very large (900 Te) crane filled the St Pancras Cruising Club car park and was in position to lift them into their new position where a heavily reinforced piled concrete slab, that spans between the two massive viaduct walls, had been cast to receive the 350 Te Waterpoint.

The actual removal started on 25th November 2001 and just three days later, the Waterpoint stood firm in its new home standing guardian over the St Pancras Cruising Club moorings. It now has superb views over London from the viewing platform constructed in the old water tank.

WHO MADE IT HAPPEN?

Heritage London Trust Operations - feasibility and overall management
The Morton Partnership - technical assessment, structural engineering and project management
Abbey Pynford PLC - specialist contractors for moving together with Jim Parkinson Ltd providing cranes and transporters
Universal Stone Ltd - completion of repairs and refurbishment of the building and site

If you would like to visit the St Pancras Waterpoint, the contact number for open days and visits is: 07917 634825

Photo Credit: Michael Stevens

Copyright 2005 SPCC
Last modified 28/10/2008