Southport Pier in the UK is rotting away, says a damning engineers’ report.
The pier, the second longest in the UK, was closed by Sefton Council two years ago after advice from engineers following some bad weather.
Now a detailed report has catalogued historical failings. The report was commissioned by the council, recognising the importance of the pier to local businesses. The £400,000 report has been critical of historical efforts to maintain the pier.
The report said: “"The current condition of the pier has been impacted by various issues since the significant multi-million pound refurbishment works carried out in 1998-2002 which left Sefton Council with inherent latent defects.”
A full refurbishment of the pier was conducted 20 years ago, but this exercise is cited as a leading cause of the existing problems, with numerous defects to the way work was carried out and materials used.
The report reiterated the view that the structure is currently unsafe for the public. Colin Jameson is the owner of Southport Pier Pavilion and he is quoted in the local press as experiencing a devastating loss of business by the pier’s closure.
Repairs are expected to cost around £13m but the council is firm that it does not have the means to provide this degree of funding.
