Cost of Southport Pier refurb rockets to £13m
It could cost £10m more than originally thought to repair the ageing seaside structure.
Sefton Council’s cabinet will meet this week to reaffirm its commitment to repairing the grade two-listed Southport Pier, the second longest in the UK, as it works to find the money needed for the repairs.
An investigation into the state of the pier, which has been closed to the public for the last six months over safety concerns, has found that more than 25% of the decking needs replacing.
As a result, the council estimates that the cost of the full refurbishment could exceed £13m, which is £10m more than the £3m that Sefton originally agreed to borrow for the project.
Cllr Ian Maher, Leader of Sefton Council, said the extent of the work required and the cost increase were “sobering”.
“It is going to be a huge and costly scheme,” he said. “But the cabinet is supportive of the proposal for a full refurbishment project.”
Sefton Council is planning to engage “as quickly as possible” with potential funders and stakeholders to find the money for the project, according to a statement.
Maher said: “Given the scale of investment needed and the unprecedented financial pressures the council is under, there is a clear need to engage with other funding agencies and specialist heritage and pier-related organisations to identify opportunities to provide financial support and ensure this project will deal fully with all current known maintenance, refurbishment, repair and replacement requirements.”
The leader also put to bed suggestions that the cost of the project could force the council to close the pier for good.
“We have to consider all options available to us, but the council is not supportive of any suggestion of closing the pier permanently,” he said.
“It has been disappointing to see some casting doubt on [the pier’s] future and talking down the council’s commitment to it.”
fantastic news
By david r
Surely if regular planned maintenance had occurred throughout the years this wouldn’t have led to 25% of the decking needing repairs all in one go.
As a previous Tory chancellor used to say it’s about “fixing the roof when the sun is shining”.
By Anonymous
The same tory chancellor probably slashed the LA budgets used to maintain the pier @anonymous
By Levelling Up Manager
What about a crowd funding appeal? Salford Reds did some sort of similar thing, hoping to buy their ground. So many people, myself included, will have benefited in the past from a bracing walk up the pier, maybe they would donate to such a cause, I certainly would.
By Mike
@Levelling Up Manager The same tory chancellor was probably left with little option to slash the budgets when faced with the ginormous shambles left by Brown/Blair which seems to have been conveniently forgotten about now.
By Reality check for the lefties
@Reality check for the lefties 13 years of tories in charge sure has left us as an economic powerhouse!! Trussonomics anyone??
By Levelling Up Manager