There is still no firm plan in place for Southport Pier after the council's emergency Cabinet meeting today.
The pier was forced to close last December due to health and safety concerns and it remains closed now. It is estimated that the full refurbishment works required to ensure the Pier can open safely again could exceed £13 million, more than £10 million in excess of the £3m that the Council has already agreed to borrow to fund decking replacement.
To address this significant funding gap, the Council's Cabinet has agreed to progress engagement as quickly as possible with potential funders and stakeholders. However, no clear plan has been proposed.
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In addition to the full decking replacement, the council needs to undertake additional work to the pier’s sub-structure and steelwork, but the likely costs of this full refurbishment project are beyond the affordability of the Council.
Speaking at the special Cabinet meeting today, Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council's Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, said: "It is abundantly clear how important the pier is to all of us and that’s why as soon as we had feedback from the structural engineers, we called this meeting.
"We all want to find a solution to the issues facing this well-loved historic asset as soon as we possibly could. The pier is 163 years old and has an emotional attachment for many many people. It is grade 2 listed and it is the oldest cast iron structure in the country."
An independent survey is expected to identify that more than 25% of the pier’s decking is majorly damaged or in need of immediate replacement. This means that the pier will remain closed until the full refurbishment job, which will include working on more than 14 miles of severely decayed decking, is completed.
Cllr Atkinson said: "If there is a finger to be pointed it should not solely be laid at the door of local authorities who have seen the biggest reductions in their budgets by this Government since records began.
"Given the costs associated with these ever diminishing yet, cultural, heritage, and economic drivers Government must now recognise these Victorian assets are at risk and support them.
"Funding must be provided not just for rebuilds or reconstructions but also for sustainable, regular, and sufficient revenue to support their ongoing maintenance needs. So we will continue to look for a long-term solution and now we can start to have some formal discussions about securing funding to reopen the pier.
"We know its importance emotionally, economically, and historically. That’s why we continue to take action to secure its future for another 160 years. Our commitment is as unequivocal as it can be. We want a refurbished pier and we will do all we can to work with whoever we need to, to get to that position."
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