Southport Pier is rotting away and decking to be replaced at cost of over £200,000

The entire decking along Southport Pier is due to be replaced due to rotting from within. 

The work will be carried out in a series of phases on the historic Grade II Listed structure, which first opened in August 1860 and is the oldest iron pier in the country.

Its length of 1,108m (3,635 ft) makes it the second-longest in Great Britain, after Southend Pier. 

Sefton Council is due to approve £206,053 of spending so the vital ‘Southport Pier Decking Project’ repair works can be undertaken.  

In a report to Sefton Council, Executive Director of Corporate Resources and Customer Services Stephan Van Arendsen said: “Southport Pier is a Grade II listed structure, the oldest cast iron pier in England and the second longest. The asset is a critical element to Southport’s visitor economy along with the wider economy of the borough.

“The Pier decking needs to be replaced in its entirety due to its current condition. 

“The decking is rotting from within meaning it is only detected when a timber piece snaps. 

“The Council employed a specialist timber expert who devised a programme of works and the specification of timber. 

“The replacement decking will have to be done in several phases.”

At a Full Council meeting next Thursday (19th May), councillors will be asked to provide funds for the work to be carried out. 

Services Stephan Van Arendsen said: “The Council sets aside an amount of funding each year towards a sinking fund that is intended for periodic repairs and replacement works such as those specified above. It will be necessary to add an additional £91,256 during 2022/23 to fund the decking project as the current balance on the fund is insufficient to cover the full cost. 

“Future annual contributions to the sinking fund will be reduced to reflect the additional contribution in 2022/23 to ensure there is no additional cost to the Council. 

“Council is therefore recommended to approve a supplementary capital estimate of £206,053.”

Source standupforsouthport.com