A series of errors with “poor-quality workmanship” have been raised as among the reasons for the temporary closure of Southport Pier.
The historic Grade II Listed landmark structure, the second longest pier in the UK, has been closed since December.
Sefton Council now believes it may cost £13 million to repair and reopen the 1.1 kilometre-long pier, which first opened in 1860.
Today, at an emergency Cabinet meeting, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Skills, Cllr Marion Atkinson, revealed what she said had been a series of errors that had been made by contractors including using the wrong screws, using wood that was too thin, and defects with the paint.
The former pier train had also caused damage to the structure, she said.
Sefton Council says it is committed to the full refurbishment of Southport Pier as it seeks funding solutions from a range of courses.
Speaking at the special Cabinet meeting today, Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Skills, said:
“In the year 2000 the pier underwent a full refurbishment which included brand new wooden boards and steel.
“Not long after it was completed, faults became apparent. The work should have had a life span of up to 30 years.
“What we know now is the tropical hardwood Eki should have been 35mm thick not 25mm thick. The sap it seems that should have been removed from the Eki was left on in places which left the wood prone to risk.
“The screws that were used at the time were not only the wrong screws which split the wood and made it vulnerable and furthermore they were also screwed into the wrong place, causing further vulnerabilities to the boards.
“Steelwork wasn’t put back in the right places, poor connections created avoidable gaps and overall poor-quality workmanship led to defects in the paint.
“Widespread corrosion was evident.
“This is all evidenced as the council took the contractor to court and won, however the contractor soon went into liquidation after the findings of the court.
“We also know now the noggins that sit beneath the boards were not secured in the way that they should have been, creating a weakness that is fundamental to the challenges we now face.
“The train that ran up and down the pier it seems compounded the issues and was removed as a consequence.
“For the past 7 years the pier has had spent on it over £2.7 million pounds in repair work and necessary maintenance.
“Colleagues will recall last year we agreed to replace damaged boards. Phased work which began in 2022 cost £206,000.
“However, on further inspections, more boards were identified as needing replacement therefore the Cabinet agreed to a full replacement of all of the boards costing £3 million.
“It is well publicised we agreed to borrow that money.
“Throughout the summer of 2022 the Tourism team, health & safety officers and officers from across the council carried out daily inspections to ensure the pier remained safe for users of it, including the safety of the concessionaire.
“At times, daily temporary fixes were being carried out on the pier to ensure it remained open in 2022 and to ensure as much as we possibly could that we made up for lost time from the dreadful experiences of the Covid pandemic.
“This I believe was recognised and welcomed by many and certainly not the actions of a council that would shut an asset at the drop of a hat.
“What would be the rationale we lose income, we lose visitors, the wider economy suffers. We did this as a last resort and when experts say it’s unsafe, we have no choice.
“Further deterioration of the pier occurred during the infamous cold snap of weather in December 2022 when the UK was on alert to protect our most vulnerable from freezing temperatures.
“Some nights you may recall coastal parts in the region dropped to around minus 12.
“The weather infiltrating this already fragile structure, along with the legacy of poor workmanship, temporary fixes, end of life material albeit earlier than it should have been, unfortunately are the reason for the closure of the pier.
“It’s not one thing. It’s a number of things.
“Our commitment is as clear and unequivocal as it can be.
“We want a refurbished pier and we will do all we can to work with whoever we need to, to get to that position.”
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