Lighthouse Lange Jaap in Den Helder has new cracks. Existing and critical cracks in the neglected and unsafe lighthouse have also widened.
The 63 meter high Lange Jaap consists of cast iron parts. The cracks are in the facade, floors and core of the lighthouse, Rijkswaterstaat reports. It was already known that those cracks were there. Now it has been established for the first time that the cracks are also increasing.
The cause of the problems lies with the floors of the 145-year-old lighthouse. They were placed crookedly during the construction of Lange Jaap. The weight of Lange Jaap, no less than 500,000 kilos, cannot be properly distributed over the tower due to the construction.
In 1998 it came to light that the lighthouse had cracks due to the unfortunate construction. Since then, the tower’s condition has only deteriorated. This is because Rijkswaterstaat, as manager of the lighthouse, did not take good care of the structure, the organization itself admitted.
Fear that Lange Jaap will fall over
The tower has not been open to the public for years. Two years ago there was even a fear that Lange Jaap would fall over. That fear is still there. According to Rijkswaterstaat, the lighthouse is so unsafe that people cannot do repairs in and on the tower.
Rijkswaterstaat has received fourteen ideas from experts and stakeholders to restore Lange Jaap. Engineers are going to evaluate these proposals. Engineering firm Movares has also been asked to investigate what the new cracks mean for the safety of the lighthouse’s construction.
From a cultural-historical point of view, Rijkswaterstaat and Den Helder want to do everything they can to preserve the Lange Jaap.
The results in the new Rijkswaterstaat inspection report have been shared with the House of Representatives at the request of Member of Parliament Harmen Krul (CDA).
2023-04-25 10:02:20
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