Weston-super-Mare's Birnbeck Pier 'in mortal danger'

Birnbeck Pier in Weston-super-Mare is in "mortal danger", experts have warned.

The National Piers Society, which aims to promote and sustain interest in the preservation and enjoyment of seaside piers, has made the claim in a recent newsletter.

It states that while current owner Urban Splash South West is seeking bids from interested parties, the pier is continuing to deteriorate and suffer from vandalism.

The Grade II-listed structure has been on English Heritage's At Risk register for many years, having been awarded the highest priority A rating, meaning it is at immediate risk of further deterioration.

Mike Davies, committee member of the National Piers Society and founder member of the Friends of The Old Pier Society, agrees the Weston-super-Mare pier is in danger.

He said: "It is in a terrible state and I agree with the society that it is in mortal danger.

"If something is not done soon I think, without a shadow of a doubt, we will lose it to the sea. If this happens everyone will be up in arms saying why didn't we do something with it but it will be too late by then."

The pier, which was completed in 1866, has a long and varied history with several changes in ownership.

It played an interesting role in World War II when it was handed over to the Admiralty and the Department for Miscellaneous Development.

P&A Campbell ran the pier from 1962-1972, selling it to John Critchley a year after regular passenger steamer services ceased to call.

In 1989, ownership passed to Phil Stubbs who planned to restore the pier but by 1992 the pier was closed with financial problems.

Its current owners took over in 2006, promising a major regeneration scheme with new apartments and a hotel.

However, despite Levitate Architecture and Design Studio Ltd being appointed to carry out the project in 2008 no progress has been made. Urban Splash is rumoured to be in negotiations over its sale but so far has been unavailable to confirm such reports.

Mr Davies said if a new buyer does emerge work should begin immediately.

He added: "My idea would be whoever takes it over they could start work on it piece by piece with repairs made to the first 20ft.

"This would mean people can actually get back on there before work starts on the next 20ft and so on."

In the meantime, Eatec Engineering consultants in Yate are working on the scheme with the University of Bath, to monitor vibrations in the pier caused by the wind and waves.

This will allow them to interpret these results to present a detailed picture of the exact damage of the pier and where repair work should take place.

The monitoring, which started in September, will continue remotely for six months and provide conservation engineers and English Heritage with useful data to minimise intervention and costs, while maximising the preservation of the historic structure.