Council commission Pier “works” but full repairs remain unfunded and unscheduled

Sefton Council have announced that “extensive exploratory and investigative works” will begin on Southport Pier next week, but this will not include the repairs needed to reopen the iconic structure.

Southport Pier was “temporarily” closed in December after cold weather revealed significant structural damage, with Sefton Council later confirming that £13m worth of repairs were necessary.

A contract for the main refurbishment works to the whole pier will be issued for tender within the next two weeks – but the Council say the funding necessary for repairs has not yet been secured.

The “investigative works” announced today will begin on 20 November and continue until Mid-February, with Sefton Council saying they “will ultimately guide the larger refurbishment project.”

Civil engineers A E Yates have been appointed by the Local Authority to oversee the works, which will include removal of some damaged boards, and “further detailed analysis” of the steel structure.

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, welcomed the works by saying: “As promised we have been working extremely hard behind the scenes to ensure all pre-construction work is carried out and completed to ensure we have a fully costed and detailed project ready to go should funding become available.

“We are working with the contractor to ensure they are able to get on site and begin the exploratory and investigating works needed to guide the wider refurbishment.

“This is by no means a small task and will involve significant work to further understand the current structural integrity of the Pier.

“While these work are being funded entirely by Sefton Council we are still actively seeking support from other bodies and organisations and will continue to ask for help to restore our iconic Pier.”

Mick O’Hanlan, Contracts Manager for A E Yates, added: “A E Yates ltd are proud to be appointed for this preliminary stage of the refurbishment of Southport Pier.

“The Pier has been a big family attraction for many of our employees and families, and we are looking forward to being part of the team helping to deliver the refurbishment of the Grade II listed structure and the second longest pier in the country.”