A long-awaited structural report on the condition of Southport Pier has confirmed that a significant programme of repairs is required before it can be reopened to the public.
Thomasons of Liverpool has detailed over two separate reports that the pier ironwork is suffering from corrosion and that many of the decking boards need to be replaced due to rot, tripping hazards, damage and wear.
Thomasons recommends continued closure to the public until the necessary repair and replacement work is done. Cllr Marion Atkinson admits that the Council: “have not secured a solution at this time” over the necessary funding for the repairs, which is expected to total £13m.
Sefton Council says they are: “now progressing engagement as quickly as possible with potential funders and stakeholders.”
Nearly 17,000 boards have been damaged, with approximately 7,500 of those boards showing damage warranting repair or replacement. According to the report, steelwork either in contact with supporting timber or showing a loss of strength or corrosion should have repairs prioritised.
The Council acknowledged in June that it is likely the entirety of the Pier decking will require replacement.
The Pier Train, weighing approximately 3 tonnes when fully loaded, is identified by the report as causing high stress levels to the structure, although the weight of the train should still have been within the operational limits of the pier.
The train was operated by the Pier Concessionaire Colin Jamieson, who is the leaseholder and operator of the Pier Pavilion Cafe and other stalls along the pier. Mr Jamieson has referred to an “oncoming legal battle” with Sefton Council over the Pier closure. A GoFundMe account to raise funds, partially for legal costs, has so far raised £640.
Responding to today’s publication, Mr Jamieson called the Council “unethical” and “immoral” in a social media post.
The Council has previously committed to borrowing £3m to fund emergency repairs, leaving a £10m funding gap. It has stopped short of guaranteeing full funding provision but has said it is “committed” to the pier.
At the last full meeting of Sefton Council, Labour councillors resisted opposition motions that would have locked the council to guaranteeing the funding of the repairs. Council Leader, Labour’s Ian Maher said it would be a mistake to commit to repairs before this new report had been received.
A digital hub has been created at www.sefton.gov.uk/SouthportPier where frequently asked questions address some of the enquiries from residents, visitors and businesses.
Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills said: “A steel and wooden structure stretching out into the sea at the mercy of the elements requires constant maintenance and we have spent on average around half a million pounds a year in the six years leading up to this point.
“Adequate funding for maintenance will form an important part of our ongoing dialogue with government departments and other key stakeholders.
“Sadly, owing to poor workmanship commissioned in 2000, work that should have lasted up to 30 years for timber and longer for the steel work was sub-standard and we inherited a structure that was flawed.
“As we all know you can patch up a car or a house with temporary repairs and fixes, but if the structure you’re maintaining is flawed, you are going to need some major work and that’s the point we have reached.
“The contractor in 2000 used the wrong screws and wrong wood as well as failing to renew the steelwork and fixings correctly resulting in the failure of the coating system and corrosion of the underlying steelwork shortly after reopening.”
“Having been forced to find savings of approaching £250 million in the past decade or so as a result of Government funding cuts, we simply don’t have that kind of money.
“We have therefore been focused on proactive discussions with various Government departments and other public sector agencies about securing funding to re-open Southport Pier.
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