Overview:
Built between 1885 and 1903, Roker lighthouse is a working navigational aid at the mouth of the Port Of Sunderland. It also carries a Grade II Listing. This combination of operational importance to shipping and historical importance within the Roker Park and Seafront Conservation Area produced an unique set of circumstances to be resolved in its repair.
The lamp and fog signal have both been updated and maintained over the years but the fabric of the lantern has suffered from the years of exposure to the harsh marine environment and internal condensation. Extensive and sensitive repairs, refurbishment and replacements were carried out to cast iron floors, stairs and railings, steel supports, copper roof, curved glass, bronze ventilators, weather seals and the external door. This involved permanent fixing points being inserted into the listed stonework for securing scaffolding against challenging weather conditions and the co-ordination of a safety vessel at key points in the program.
Funding towards this first phase of the refurbishment was secured from the Heritage Lottery Fund.