Southport MP Damien Moore has met with a Government Minister in Parliament in his continued bid to seek funding to repair Southport Pier.
Southport Pier has been closed for safety reasons since December, with millions of pounds needed to repair the historic structure.
In June, Sefton Council said that they estimated that the full refurbishment works required to ensure the 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.
Engineers assess the damaged Southport Pier
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 MP Damien Moore has now met with the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Arts and Heritage to pursue the necessary funding.
He said: “Yesterday, I met with Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay, as part of my ongoing work to highlight the need for increased funding for Southport Pier.
“I was pleased to hear Lord Parkinson share my concerns over the continued closure of this vital asset throughout the peak summer season, in addition to the impact this extended closure is having on our local businesses.
Southport MP Damien Moore (right) met with Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay, as part of ongoing work to highlight the need for increased funding for Southport Pier
“Private investment is another key part of Southport’s development, and the ongoing issues with the Pier have the potential to put this at risk – given that the Pier is a solid foundation of Southport’s tourist economy.
“I am now looking to meet with northern representatives of the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England, in order to explore further avenues of funding for the Pier as a key part of Southport’s culture and heritage.”
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