The work is expected to be completed by the end of November Picture: Mann Williams

Cliff-face repair works start at Weston’s Birnbeck Pier

Tait ap EllisOctober 29, 20240 Comment0

SPECIALISTS will be abseiling down Birnbeck Pier this week to repair the cliff-face as part of plans to restore the 160-year-old Weston-super-Mare landmark.

The area behind the landside buildings at the pier are to be repaired to make the area between Birkett Road and the Pier Master’s Cottage safe so the restoration works can take place to the buildings and the pier itself.

Work started today (October 29) and is expected to last until the end of November.

The repairs to the cliff will see specialists abseiling down the cliff face to remove any loose rocks and debris as well as removing the existing damaged railings at the top of the cliff on Birbeck Road so they can be replaced with a temporary edge protection system.

Steel anchor bolts will also be installed at the top and base of the cliff with a new steel mesh safety netting system installed over the cliff face.

As part of the work, a small block building and wall at the base of the cliff will also be demolished.

Councillor Mark Canniford, North Somerset Council’s executive member responsible for the Birnbeck Pier project, said: “The first stage of this phase of work is going really well out on the island, so it’s great to see work starting on the landside now too.

“It’s particularly fitting that this is all happening this month, exactly 160 years after the foundation stone was laid when Birnbeck Pier was originally built.”

Arthur Parker, contracts manager at Vertical Technology who have been contracted to carry out the work, said: “We are very proud to be involved in such an exciting development. We know how much hard work has already gone into the project to get to this point, and it’s a privilege to be a part of bringing this historical site back to life.”

This part of the project is being funded from an allocation of £4.47m from the government, formerly known as the Levelling Up Fund.

The first project to restore the crumbling pier, which was left in disrepair after being in private ownership for 20 years, will see the removal of asbestos and the repairing of sea walls.

The second phase will see stabilising work to the 1888 boathouse as well as re-establishing the RNLI lifeboat station on the island.

The project received a funding boost yesterday (October 28) as it was awarded £10m from the National Lottery 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.