Birnbeck Pier’s restoration could be scrapped

A council’s project to restore a crumbling Grade II-listed pier could be scrapped months after the Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) – a key backer – pulled out.

North Somerset Council has been working to restore and reopen Birnbeck Pier in Weston-super-Mare, for years, after it was closed to the public in 1994 and left in disrepair.

In June, the RNLI pulled out of a deal – which would have seen work begin to restore the pier – because of viability concerns. Councillors have been recommended by council officers to close the current restoration project on 16 September.

The RNLI said the initial agreement allowed for the withdrawal of either partner if the “project proved unviable”.

The council report said: “It is with genuine regret and disappointment that this report recommends to council the effective closure of the current Birnbeck Pier restoration project.

“This pier is a loved landmark, not just locally but nationally and internationally. Our social media posts have generated positive responses and happy memories from all across the world.

“Its restoration would bring people together in celebration of our past and future, enhancing pride in where we live and what we can achieve here.”

It added: “This current project cannot go forward, but our ambition for the pier remains. We will continue looking for solutions and hope that at some point in the future an answer will be found.”

The report said the pier had been bought by the local authority in 2023 with the financial backing of the RNLI and Historic England.

However, the RNLI abandoned the project in June while the council prepared steps to award a construction company the major contract to restore the pier.

The RNLI initially proposed to establish a new base on the pier and had committed to raising £5m towards the cost.

The RNLI previously told the BBC it had left the project after a viability review raised concerns about funding and plans regarding the paying of ongoing maintenance costs.

In a statement, the RNLI added its “decision to withdraw its funding and involvement in the project was not made lightly”.

“The final decision was made after a thorough analysis of the project’s business case, tender proposal and proposed building contract.”

The charity said it did not have the confidence needed in the funding or contractual structure to deliver the pier repair project to completion, or in the plan to ensure that the long-term, ongoing maintenance costs associated with the historic pier would be met.

“We understand that this decision will have disappointed many who want to see the pier repaired and public access restored, unfortunately for the RNLI, as a lifesaving charity we have a responsibility to ensure the money donated to us in trust is used towards our purpose to save lives at sea.”

The council report added the “current funding gap” was “too large to be bridged by” the council and it had not received any offer of alternative funding.

The pier is among six Grade II-listed piers in England and the only in the UK to connect the mainland to an island.

It played a significant role during World War Two as it was commissioned for weapon trials, including the famous Sir Barnes Wallis bouncing bomb.

The final decision will be made at a meeting of North Somerset’s full council on 16 September.