A WESTON-SUPER-MARE car park is to close for up to THREE YEARS as work on restoring Birnbeck Pier continues.

The second phase of work on the landmark, being undertaken by North Somerset Council (NSC), started on Monday (July 14).

As the work continues, the pay-and-display car park next to the pier will close temporarily from Tuesday, July 29.

It comes after the restoration project was thrown into doubt earlier this month when the RNLI – which had been due to open a new station on the redeveloped pier – pulled out of the scheme.

However, this phase of the scheme is being funded from an allocation of £4.47 million, from £20m awarded to the council by the UK government through the former Levelling Up Fund.

READ MORE: RNLI pulls out of Birnbeck Pier project after “shocking” decision
READ MORE: Plans for next phase of Birnbeck Pier restoration project revealed

Councillor Mark Canniford, NSC cabinet member responsible for the Birnbeck Pier project, said the project was still progressing.

“I hope that the start of this second phase of physical work will provide reassurance that the council is very much pushing forward with our project to restore Birnbeck Pier and Island,” he said.

“The first phase of work was completed at the end of last year, achieved within budget and ahead of schedule.

“Working in partnership with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the National Heritage Memorial Fund and Historic England, we continue to work hard to identify solutions to progress with the restoration of the pier structure.

“I’d like to take the opportunity to give some thanks. I must of course start by acknowledging and thanking the UK government for funding this element of the project.

“Thanks to council officers for their continuing hard work and determination to restore this site of significant importance to our country’s heritage, which will once again be of significant economic benefit to the town and wider area.

“I’d also like to thank those within our local community who contribute positively and in so many ways, including the Birnbeck Regeneration Trust and the Friends of the Old Pier Society.

Work is underway on plans to restore Birnbeck Pier in Weston. Picture: Mark Robinson

“Lastly, I’d like to thank everyone for their patience while Birnbeck Pier car park is temporarily closed to enable our restoration project to take place.

“It’s a challenging and physically restricted site, and contractors will need the space to work safely. We’re keen to minimise disruption to everyone, particularly local residents and businesses. There’s an alternative car park nearby and public transport links. Where possible, visitors are asked to use sustainable and active transport options, to reduce pressure on town centre roads and parking.”

Work on the landside is being led by the council’s contractor, Bristol-based Smith and Brenson, and includes:

• restoring landside buildings including the Pier Master’s Cottage
• creating visitor facilities including toilets and bicycle racks
• providing essential services and infrastructure to the site including work underground on a new water supply, a new sewer and sewage pumps, and to install a new fit-for-purpose electricity substation
• removing asbestos and repairing the sea wall
• replacing broken railings and streetlights along Birkett Road.

Mark Langdon, director of Smith & Brenson Ltd, said: “As an established local contractor, we’re proud and excited to be leading the restoration of the landside works at Birnbeck Pier on behalf of North Somerset Council.

“We look forward to bringing this iconic site back to life and restoring it to its former glory, honouring the fond memories it holds for generations of Weston-super-Mare visitors and residents alike.”

For more about the Birnbeck Pier project, visit n-somerset.gov.uk/BirnbeckPierProject.