'No More Delays' - Cllr Mike Prendergast Urges Immediate Action on Southport Pier Post Fire

“Get on with it ” says Cllr Mike Prendergast following Southport Pier Fire

Conservative Group Leader on Sefton Council, Mike Prendergast, is calling on Sefton Council to start the work to repair and reopen Southport Pier as soon as possible following yesterday’s fire.

Councillor Prendergast said, “Yesterday’s fire has brought into focus the perilous state of one our most iconic assets. My thanks go to those who attended at the scene and our emergency services for tackling the blaze.”

“We cannot continue in this bizarre state of suspended animation in respect of our Pier. We’ve been told, with a lot of celebration, by Sefton Council and our town’s MP that we are definitely getting the money to have the Pier fixed but there has been no action.”

“A cynic might say we don’t know when, how much or what the criteria is  for the announced funding and we are months on from the initial announcement. Yet with the apparent guarantees we have from government and the MP for Southport, there is no reason for Sefton Council to continue the delay in work starting.”

“If we are getting the money, just get on with it, start the work now if we know the money is coming. Funds can be reallocated internally if the council knows the money will be arriving from central government.”

“There is no reason to dither anymore, unless there is the possibility that we are not getting all of the money or some other element of uncertainty.”

“Leaving the Pier closed and empty is clearly a risk and vacant buildings and assets fall even further into disrepair.”

“It’s been almost 3 years since our Pier was closed and it’s time we crack on with getting it fixed and back open.”