The future of Birnbeck Pier’s restoration remains hopeful despite the RNLI’s recent withdrawal, North Somerset Council leader Mike Bell has assured. The lifeboat charity, which was a key partner in the project and had been funding significant elements, pulled out at the end of June citing concerns over the project’s viability.
The RNLI had committed £5.25 million to restore the bridge connecting Birnbeck Island to Weston-super-Mare, as well as funding the purchase of the pier for £400,000 in 2023. Their departure has cast uncertainty over the restoration’s next steps, especially with the council’s contract award for the bridge restoration to JT Mackley & Co Ltd postponed.
Speaking at the July 8 council meeting, Cllr Bell acknowledged the disappointment but urged continued determination. “The RNLI have been an important partner and we did not expect this decision so late in the process. However, this is not the end of the Birnbeck project — it’s a new challenge for us to overcome,” he said.
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Bell expressed gratitude to other project supporters including the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic England, the National Heritage Memorial Fund, and the UK government, alongside ongoing engagement with local MP Dan Aldridge to explore further government funding.
While the bridge restoration faces uncertainty, other parts of the project will proceed. Thanks to funding from the Levelling Up Fund, the landside buildings, such as the pier master’s cottage, will see restoration including a new café extension with panoramic pier views, a shop, and the recreation of the cottage’s historic bell cote. Plans also include a new toilet block. Visible progress on these elements is expected soon.
Although the RNLI has withdrawn from the pier project, talks continue regarding the lifeboat station’s future in Weston-super-Mare. The RNLI’s intention had been to establish a state-of-the-art lifeboat station in the ruined pavilion on Birnbeck Island, allowing lifeboat launches from there once more. Since 2014, the station has operated from temporary containers near Marine Lake due to the pier’s unsafe condition.
RNLI CEO Peter Sparkes explained the withdrawal was due to doubts about the funding and contractual arrangements supporting the pier’s restoration and long-term maintenance. He emphasized the charity’s responsibility to safeguard donor funds for effective life-saving services.
Cllr Bell reminded councillors of Birnbeck Pier’s rich heritage, spanning over 150 years as a cherished local landmark. “This pride is exactly why two years ago the council stepped in after decades of neglect. Since then, we’ve secured over £20 million from national partners and made more progress in two years than in the previous 30 years. We’ve completed emergency repairs, conducted thorough surveys, secured planning consent, and begun restoring historic buildings,” he said.
Committed to the community and the pier’s legacy, Bell concluded, “We have come too far to turn back now. Together, we will continue striving to see Birnbeck Pier and island restored and reopened for all of us to enjoy.”