The restoration of Southport Pier is progressing at pace, with preparations under way for the installation of new British-bought steel – a major milestone in the renewal of one of Southport’s most important visitor assets. Tony McDonough Reports
Principal contractors, AE Yates, has made significant progress restoring the much loved Southport Pier. The latest phase has focused on safely dismantling and clearing key areas ahead of a critical steel replacement programme.
Commissioned by Sefton Council to carry out the £20m project, AE Yates, have been on site since April when work began to restore and reopen the Grade II-listed Victorian structure. The project represents a significant investment in Southport’s visitor economy and long-term regeneration.
Work is expected to take between 14 to 16 months to complete, with hopes that visitors will be able to once again walk along it next year.
Key structures and services have been safely removed, while new access routes and crane pads are now in place, paving the way for the installation of new steel. These works will provide the specialist access and lifting capacity required to deliver the restoration safely and efficiently.
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Cllr Marion Atkinson, Leader of Sefton Council, said: “This is excellent progress and it represents an important step forward in the restoration of Southport Pier.
“Like all building projects of any scale, careful preparation needed to be undertaken to make way for new materials to be installed.
“The start of steel replacement work later this month will be a particularly significant milestone. I want to thank everyone working on this complex project for the progress they have made so far.”
Dale Cunniffe, Project Manager at AE Yates, said: “A great deal has been achieved on site over recent weeks, including the removal of decking, structural elements and services, as well as the creation of the specialist access and crane areas needed for the next phase.
“These enabling works are essential to delivering the restoration safely and effectively. We are pleased with the progress made and are now preparing to begin replacing steelwork on the landward section of the pier.”