Pier safety work to begin but restoration delayed

The full restoration of a 146-year-old pier has been further delayed, with safety works being prioritised instead.

The project to extend the life of Bournemouth Pier by 25 years had been due to start in winter 2024, then was put back until autumn 2026.

But Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP) said the "scale of the works and the associated costs" meant it had not found a suitable contractor for the full 18-month project.

It has allocated £9.6m of its £20m government Levelling Up funding to the restoration but rising costs have forced it to rethink the scheme, which is now expected to be completed by early 2028.

BCP leader Millie Earl said: "Our priority is to keep the public safe.

"Acting on specialist engineering advice, we are prioritising the removal of the timber landing stages, which are in a deteriorating condition and pose a safety risk.

"We currently expect this work to take place in the autumn."

Earl said BCP and other coastal communities faced "significant challenges in maintaining and investing in ageing seafront infrastructure".

"While our tender for the full restoration of the pier did not attract a suitable bid, it has provided valuable insight into the scale and cost of the work required," she said.

"With construction costs having risen considerably since funding was secured, we must ensure any proposals are both affordable and deliverable."

The Local Democracy Reporting Service previously said the restoration would include concrete repairs, a protection system to prevent corrosion, and removal of timber landing stages.

Beachgoers are urged to obey warning signs and not access the landing stages.