Sefton moves Southport Pier revamp along but wait for £20m grant drags on
AE Yates will carry out a £300,000 package of design and survey works as efforts to bring the country’s second longest pier back into use for the first time since December 2022 ramp up.
The contractor has been attached to the grade two-listed Southport Pier project previously under a PCSA and will continue to work on the scheme while Sefton Council waits for a £20m government grant to land in its account.
Leader of Sefton Council, Cllr Marion Atkinson, said she remains “hopeful” the grant, pledged by chancellor Rachel Reeves last September, is forthcoming.
“I am grateful to the government for recognising the importance of Southport Pier,” she said.
“We are awaiting further feedback and are, of course hopeful of a positive outcome on the grant funding ask. This funding will allow us to deliver a safe, sustainable and significant restoration that will benefit generations to come.”
In the meantime, reengaging with AE Yates will see the project edge forward.
“The further appointment of AE Yates to undertake preparatory work builds on their involvement to date in the project, and the council’s investment in these works helps us ensure readiness for start on site once funding is secured,” Atkinson said.
“I have repeatedly said that as soon as we secure the funding, we will be ready to start work on the pier. Everything is in place, including vital legal requirements such as listed building consent, and this appointment keeps us moving and ready to start as soon as funding is confirmed. This further demonstrates the council commitment to the pier.”
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It’s not like Sefton Council to make a major announcement and then for nothing at all to happen beyond a bit of prepatory work.
Cllr Atkinson and friends are very unlucky when it comes to entirely unexpected delays that have nothing at all to do with Sefton, and it’s particularly unfortunate not having anything that’s actually been delivered to put in the leaflets before the all-out elections in May.
By Wayfarer
Very short sighted move for Sefton to close both the pier and the theatre – 2 of the biggest draws. Will the MLEC really happen. They have not thought about this! Its a mess!
By Bob Dawson
Reeves also announced the “Mansion tax”. So far the Valuation Office have no instructions or resources to progress this at all.
By Anonymous
Extend the pier for a few miles and reopen it as a tram link to Ireland. Glad to help.
By Anonymous
It is so sad to see Southport’s decaying Victorian elegance, especially Lord Street and the area between that and the promenade.
Many visitors I have spoken to have said the same thing, it is too little and too late.
Southport is no longer a resort it is just a sad extension satellite town of Liverpool.
By Garry Cassidy