A BID to secure £10 million to help restore the dilapidated Birnbeck Pier in Weston-super-Mare has been granted today (October 28).
The additional funding from the National Lottery will enable further restoration work for the listed buildings on the pier and island and the RNLI’s development of a new lifeboat station on the island to take place.
The announcement was made at an event held 160 years to the day since the pier’s foundation stone was laid on October 28, 1864.
North Somerset Council announced plans in collaboration with the RNLI for major restoration works at the crumbling pier which is just one of only six Grade II listed pier in England – and the only pier in the UK to connect the mainland to an island.
The restoration work includes the removal of asbestos, repairing the sea walls, stabilising work to the 1888 boathouse and installing security fencing and welfare facilities.
READ MORE: Work to restore Weston’s Birnbeck Pier gets underway
Councillor Mike Bell, leader of North Somerset Council, said: “£10m is a significant amount of money – we’re so grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund for their ongoing support of our project to restore Birnbeck Pier.”
Work is underway on plans to restore Birnbeck Pier in Weston. Picture: Mark Robinson
He added: “This funding award demonstrates the continued recognition by key national organisations – including our multiple funding partners – in our renovation plans for Birnbeck, to not only restore public access to this Victorian treasure but to get the RNLI back on the island where they belong.”
Eilish McGuinness, chief executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “This is great news for Weston-super-Mare and beyond.
“Thanks to National Lottery players, Birnbeck Pier is set to be brought back from the brink of loss, ensuring its 160-year historic legacy is preserved for generations to come.
“We are proud to be part of this transformative project, which promises to enhance and regenerate the cultural and economic landscape of the area, provide local employment opportunities and be a source of pride and enjoyment for generations to come.
“National Lottery funding ensures that this heritage will be valued, cared for, and sustained for everyone, now and in the future.”
Heritage minister Sir Chris Bryant said: “It has felt for ages as if it was the end of the pier show for this end of the pier, but I applaud the ambitious work of The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the local council to restore this landmark to its former glory and I hope this funding brings the public one step closer to a stroll to the end of Birnbeck Pier.”
Designed by Eugenius Birch and opened in 1867, Birnbeck Pier stands as a remarkable example of Victorian engineering.
It was a popular destination for day-trippers from ports along the Bristol Channel, including from south Wales. The pier even had a tramway system to transport luggage.
During World War II, the pier played a significant role and was commissioned by the Admiralty for weapon trials, including the famous Sir Barnes Wallis ‘bouncing bomb’.
Post-war, the pier’s popularity waned leading to a decline in visitors and steamer services, with the last steamer excursion taking place in 1979.
The lack of maintenance during private ownership caused the pier to become unsafe and in 1994 it was closed to the public.
RNLI volunteers first had a presence on the Island in 1882, building a lifeboat station from which to operate on the island in 1888 until they were forced to leave in 2014 after it was deemed too dangerous.
Since then, the RNLI in Weston has operated from a temporary base on the plaza at Marine Lake.
Historic England placed the pier on its original Heritage at Risk Register in 1998 due to concerns about its deterioration.
As well as re-opening the much-loved landmark to the public, the project also intends to enable the RNLI to return to the island, which remains the safest and most effective location to launch lifeboats in Weston.
Subject to planning consent, the RNLI aim to build a new modern lifeboat station and create a visitable RNLI space on Birnbeck Island.
Visited Birnbeck Pier this week, such a shame to have been left to get into its current state. We look forward to seeing the Pier getting back to its former glory. Well done National Lottery.
Wonderful news look
Forward to seeing the plank with my mothers name and sons in the near future.