Great British Landmark Fixers

Stretching 1.3 miles out into the waters of the Thames Estuary stands the world's longest pier. Built in 1888 to service the Victorian need to escape the noxious London air, Southend Pier has survived fires, a collision which cut it in half, and the constant threat caused by unexploded WW2 ordnance. However, salt water and iron do not mix, and the pier has seen better days. A committed team of specialists is now working hard to prevent it from falling into the sea.

Manchester Town Hall is a Neo-Gothic masterpiece. Designed by prolific Victorian Architect Alfred Waterhouse, designer of the Natural History Museum in London, the triangular shaped design is one of the most important Grade I Listed buildings in England.

It has played host to Royalty, Lord Mayors, weddings, civic celebrations and is a key stage set for television and film. But after fourteen decades centre stage the building is showing its age and is now in urgent need of repair. In 2018, it closed its doors for six years of restoration and renewal – at a cost of a £330 million. Now a dedicated team are working hard to do this Architectural giant justice.

How Joseph Bazalgette's incredible Victorian London sewer system in is getting a 21st century upgrade. Huge machines bore a network of tunnels linking Bazalgette's old sewer network to the Tideway Super-Sewer - a series of gigantic tunnels running for 25 kilometres alongside the River Thames. But while the work progresses, the sewage keeps on coming.