Southport MP Damien Moore is inviting people to sign a petition and show their support for the reopening of Southport Pier.
The second longest pier in Great Britain UK has been closed for safety reasons since December, with millions of pounds needed to repair the historic structure.
Southport MP Damien Moore said: “I am launching my petition to Save our Pier, as the iconic Southport Pier remains closed.
“The extended closure of the Pier over the crucial summer period continues to directly impact Southport’s tourist economy and local businesses. Though I am doing everything to represent my constituents’ concerns and secure funding for the Pier, including regular meetings with Government Ministers and key stakeholders, Sefton Council must also take action to rectify their previous lack of maintenance on this vital cultural asset.
“I urge them to release the structural survey report to the public as soon as possible, so that we can see the extent of the damage to the Pier, and exactly where money needs to be spent. It is only right that further information and transparency is provided to residents and business owners at the earliest opportunity.
“If you are a local Southport resident and share my serious concerns over the future of the Pier, then take action to help Save our Pier and sign my petition here: https://tinyurl.com/SaveSouthportPier.”
In June, Sefton Council said that they estimated that the full refurbishment works required to ensure the 1,108 m (3,635 ft) long pier can open safely again could exceed £13 million – more than £10 million in excess of the £3 million that the council had already agreed to borrow to fund decking replacement.
In addition to the full decking replacement, this would include additional work to the pier’s sub-structure and steelwork, but the likely costs of this full refurbishment project are way beyond the affordability of the local authority.
At its Cabinet meeting last month, Sefton Council reiterated its full support towards the full refurbishment of Southport Pier, with Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Skills Cllr Marion Atkinson saying: “We all want to find a solution to the issues facing this well-loved historic asset as soon as we possibly can.”
Southport Pier was officially opened in August 1860 and has provided entertainment to generations of local families and visitors ever since.
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