Another big lift operation took place at the weekend as the first phase of Ramsey Pier’s restoration heads towards a spring 2021 completion.

Installation of H-beams in bay two was the final steelwork required for phase one of the project.

The beams were put in position using a telehandler operating from the beach in bitterly cold conditions on Saturday.

The Queen’s Pier Restoration Trust signed a five-year lease with the Manx government in July 2017 to repair and reopen the first three bays of the long-closed Victorian landmark.

Project manager Stuart McKenzie said the work was scheduled to be complete next spring.

He explained the H-beams on bay 2 are the ’toe ins’ to transfer the width down from the 40 feet on bay 1 to the 22 feet on bay 3.

Stuart said: ’The bay 3 steel is in place so when the H-beams are in we can concentrate on the timber on bay 2 and 3.

’However, the other big job is to lay the railway stringers on bay 3 and the rails on top.

’After that it is timber, timber all the way into next spring when the schedule has us completing phase 1.

’We can work over winter if the weather is acceptable by which I mean the wind speed. We work in the rain unless it is very heavy but wind is a problem because of the exposed location and health and safety considerations.’

When the big lift operation takes place over the weekend, the public are urged to keep themselves and any dogs away from the pier. ’Please observe the exclusion zone marked out by tape and any instructions you might be given by the stewards. This will keep us all safe. Thank you for your co-operation,’ the Trust posted on Facebook.