More than 56 miles of decking boards will be used on the refurbishment of Southport Pier, the same distance as travelling from the resort to Stoke!
Southportâs 160-year-old Grade II listed Pier could be set for the significant upgrade in the coming months if up to ÂŁ3 million for new decking is approved.
Charlie Chaplin
Since its construction in 1860, Southport Pier has been the focal point of the townâs seaside heritage. It has been visited by Charlie Chaplin, stopped at by steamers and was used as a base for searchlights during the Second World War.
And over those 160-plus years exposed to corrosive rain, wind and salt spray, Southportâs pier has, like all traditional seaside piers, required numerous repair and refurbishment.
At their meeting next week, Sefton Councilâs Cabinet will be asked to provisionally approve up to ÂŁ3 million to replace the wooden decking along the Pierâs whole 1.1km length. If agreed, the work could begin in late 2022.
Southport to Stoke
Such is the scale of the planned works, more than 56 miles of decking boards will be used in the refurbishment, which is the same distance as the crow flies from Southport to Stoke.
Once approved at Cabinet, full council approval for the works will then need to be sought prior to any works being undertaken.
Constant effects of nature
Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Councilâs Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Skills, said: âLike many incredible open-air coastal structures, Southport Pier is affected by the constant powerful effects of nature.
âThat plus the wear from the many thousands of people who enjoy walking along Britainâs second longest pier means large-scale works like we are proposing are needed to preserve the structure for generations of the future to enjoy.â
Repairs to the Pier date back to as early as 1890 and during its long history it has fallen victim to incredibly powerful storm damage, boat crashes and numerous fires in the 19th and 20th century. In 2018, extensive repairs and repainting works were carried out by Sefton Council to the Pierâs steelwork to combat corrosion from the sea.
Iconic
Cllr Atkinson added: âBy replacing the decking boards in their entirety, we are protecting the structure for generations to come.
âSouthportâs iconic pier is by no means cheap to look after but it is cherished by all of us in Sefton and by the townâs many visitors so I donât think anyone could argue against providing it with this vital care.â
You can find out more about the highlights of a visit to Southport here.
The Councilâs Affordable Warmth team, in partnership with Sefton OPERA are holding two free events in September. The first will take place at Bootle Cricket Club on Monday 12th September from 10.30am to 3:30pm. The second event will be taking place at The Atkinson Centre in Southport, Monday 31st October, from 10.30am to 3:30pm.
Sefton Council recognises many households will struggle to pay their bills this winter due to the cost of living crisis. Autumnâs expected rise to ÂŁ3,554 will leave average household bills 80 per cent higher going into the colder months when energy use soars. Many vulnerable people will be hit hard, including older people and those in ill-health, living in energy inefficient homes that are difficult and expensive to heat.
