Why is Southport Pier closed?

Southport’s Victorian pier has now been closed for six months, with no signs of the famous Grade II structure being re-opened any time soon.

The 1,000-metre long pier – the second longest in the country – was closed to businesses and the public in December last year while an investigation into the state and safety of it went ahead.

A spokesperson for Sefton Council said today: “As we have previously stated, the survey being carried out on Southport Pier involves a thorough and intrusive assessment of the 3,600ft structure.

“Due to the detailed nature of this assessment and the complexity of Southport Pier’s structure, the survey takes time to complete.

“However, we will update both business owners directly and the public through our official communication channels as soon as possible.”

He added: “We appreciate this is a frustrating time for everyone but health and safety remains our priority.”

Why was Southport Pier closed?

Southport Pier was closed to the public until further notice as a result of extreme cold weather damage and ice. During the harsh winter last year, freezing temperatures caused significant and unavoidable damage to the pier’s decking boards.

A build-up of ice from coastal winds also made the surface treacherous underfoot.

Following a number of inspections by Sefton Council the decision was taken to temporarily close the pier until further notice.

Work was already planned

Earlier in 2022 Sefton Council had announced an ambitious project to replace more than 53 miles of decking boards along the iconic structure. While the pier has undergone extensive repairs and refurbishments over the last 160 years, the £3 million project was put in place to replace the wooden decking along its entire 1.1km length.

It had been hoped the pier could remain open while the work went ahead but the cold weather throughout the wintercaused additional damage to the decking.

Moisture within the planks and joists had frozen causing the decking to lift away from its fixings and safety officials were concerned it could present a safety issue to anyone trying to walk down the pier.

They said they didn’t take the decision to close lightly but the safety of the public and anyone using the pier was paramount.

When will it reopen?

Southport Pier will reopen as soon as it is safe, Sefton Council has said. The spokesman added: “As you can see from when it first closed, it’s substantial damage and the specialist survey is a major piece of work.

“We will announce any updates just as soon as we have them.”

Other Sefton attractions are still open

Although the pier is temporarily closed, Sefton still offers a range of sights and experiences for visitors of all ages, said the spokesman: “With long sandy beaches, stunning coastline, picturesque villages, and lively towns, it is the destination of choice for thousands of visitors year on year.

“One of our most popular attractions is Crosby Beach, famous for Antony Gormley’s Another Place, jaw dropping sunsets and the Northern Lights!

“Another Sefton gem is Formby, a charming coastal village that is a paradise for nature lovers. Home to some of the UK’s rarest wildlife, Formby National Trust nature reserve is a great place to explore, with its stunning sand dunes, woodland, and red squirrel population.”

The spokesman cited other Sefton attractions: Ainsdale Beach, a popular spot for water-sports enthusiasts and families; Southport itself with its ‘bustling’ promenade, amusement park, restaurants, bars, and shops, and the recently refurbished and rejuvenated Southport Market which is now a food and drink hub.

The spokesman added that visitors shouldn’t be surprised to hear the odd American accent in the area: “The town’s Royal Birkdale golf course is a must-visit for lovers of the sport from across the globe.”