Southport Pier to remain closed for another summer (2024)

Published

2 hours ago

A seaside pier is an iconic image associated with British summers but one of the country's oldest will remain closed this year.

Southport Pier, which is also the second longest pier in the UK, has been closed since December 2022 over "serious health and safety" fears.

Sefton Council shut the pier, which was first opened in 1860, on the advice of structural engineers after a period of extreme weather.

Residents said its 18 month closure had impacted tourism but the council said they were "not prepared to put anyone at risk" following a new report examining its condition.

As the late May bank holiday sets off the summer season, many people are asking when, and if, they will be able to walk along the pier again.

Designed by James Brunlees, the pier measures 3633ft (1108m) and is the second longest in the country.

It was given Grade II listed status in 1975 and holds treasured memories to many, including 61-year-old Chris Cadman, from Birkdale, Southport.

Mr Cadman said the pier was "one of his earliest childhood memories".

"As a boy I used to run alongside the old diesel train which ran the length of the pier to see if I could get to the end before it did.

"I was occasionally told off by grumpy adults who complained they had paid to get to the end first."

Mr Cadman said the town must do all it could to save the "irreplaceable national asset".

The pier's repairs are being estimated to cost £13m and a reopening date remains in limbo following findings from the new structural integrity report.

The report, which cost Sefton Council £400,000, said poor workmanship from works between 1998-2002 had led to "decay and deck deterioration" with "numerous areas" now deemed unsafe.

Located within the Southport Promenade Conservation Area, which is on Historic England's at Risk Register, the pier's temporary closure is said to have significantly affected Southport’s leisure and tourism offer.

Jane Warburton, 59, previously drove the train on the pier.

She said: "Nobody can really understand why it (reopening) is taking so long, it is a very much loved piece of architecture in Southport, it’s a massive focal point."

Mother and daughter, Stephanie Aindow, 59, and Sophie Parrish, 32, from Southport, really want to see the pier "up and running" again.feel the council should be doing more to get the pier “up and running now”.

Ms Aindow added: "I think it’s a crying shame."

Ms Aindow believes the public would be willing to fundraise to reopen the pier or have a toll installed, similarly to how charitable donations enabled plaques to be installed on the pier in the 2000s.

Sefton Council said the plaques would be reinstalled and were looking into all options to reopen the pier.

For businessman Colin Jamieson, who owns the lease on the pier and several business located directly on it, he said his "whole livelihood has gone".

"I'm devastated," said the 68-year-old.

"I don’t care who pays for it, I just want it opened.

Sefton Council said the independent report speaks for itself, and they were "not prepared to put anyone at risk of potential harm by allowing them to walk on the structure in its current condition".

While no reopening date has been announced, work is ongoing to finalise a programme of future works including detailed costings.

But for now, it looks like the pier will be shut for another summer season.

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