Significant progress has been made in the restoration of Birnbeck Pier, a treasured Victorian landmark in Somerset. On Monday, 28 September, councillors and funders were invited to take the first steps on the newly restored pier deck, marking a key milestone in the project.
The refurbishment has seen the installation of four out of sixteen new spans of decking, extending approximately a quarter of the way to Birnbeck Island. Specialist marine contractors Mackley have been working from a jack-up barge alongside the pier, carefully removing damaged sections and installing restored bridge and walkway spans. The pier’s supporting legs remain intact and structurally sound, representing the only surviving original parts of the bridge.
Mike Bell, Leader of North Somerset Council and Member for Weston-super-Mare Central, expressed enthusiasm for the progress: “Seeing the new sections of deck stretch towards the island highlights the real strides being made to revive Birnbeck Pier. While much work remains, this milestone reflects the commitment to securing the pier’s future for generations to come.” The pier is scheduled to reopen to the public in summer 2027.
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Birnbeck Pier holds a Grade II* listing and is recognised as one of the most at-risk historic structures in the country. Its restoration forms the flagship regeneration project for North Somerset Council, after being closed since 1994.
Rebecca Barrett from Historic England, a key project funder, commented on the restoration: “It is wonderful to see Birnbeck Pier move closer to regaining its former grandeur. This transformative effort is made possible by the dedication of local communities, collaborative partnerships led by North Somerset Council, and essential grant funding.”
Earlier in the week, more than 1,000 participants took part in a community event at Prince Consort Gardens, assembling a large-scale cardboard replica of Birnbeck Pier and its iconic clock tower. The installation was created over nine hours by artist Olivier Grossetête before being ceremoniously dismantled. Strong winds caused the clock tower portion to collapse earlier than planned.
The restoration remains on schedule and within budget. In July, an additional £19 million in government funding was approved by councillors, bringing total secured funding to just over £44 million. The new funding will support further work, including rebuilding the pier’s North Jetty, enabling steamers like the Waverley to dock once again.
First opened in 1867, Birnbeck Pier is unique in the UK as the only pier to directly connect to an island. Designed by renowned pier engineer Eugenius Birch, it is regarded as one of his finest creations and holds significant historical and architectural importance.