Labour Councillor blames others for the demise of Southport Pier
Cllr Atkinson said: "Southport Pier is a treasured asset not just for Southport but the UK. Over the last 10 years, significant investment has been made into the Pier through general maintenance and improvements under Sefton’s Labour-led council. Sadly, the pier decking has come to the end of its life, which is earlier than it should have due to the materials and workmanship used when then pier was rebuilt in 2000. Labour were not in control at that time nor did we have responsibility for leisure and economic development. "
She said that factors including defects in the wooden boards chosen, and the thickness of those boards and the length of the screws used combined with the cold weather have sped up the decline of the materials. "Phase one of the deck replacement has been completed while the Pier remained operational," she said.
"However, the council were instructed to close the Pier by structural engineers in December with further structural surveys now taking place. Fundamentally, the health and safety of residents and visitors will always come first. The main deck replacement project is underway with complex procurement exercises still in process.
"It's important to understand that this is a complex infrastructure project that involves sourcing specialist timber from West Africa and the correct contractors who have experience of working in marine environments. We will not take short cuts on this critical project, ensuring future generations are not left with the fall out of substandard work and materials."