The only Grade I listed pier in the UK is at the centre of a debate into the future of Britain's sea fronts after the president-elect of the Royal Institute of British Architects, George Ferguson, said piers were tacky and should be consigned to history.

The pier, which collapsed on Sunday, was built in 1866 but has been closed to the public and lying idle since 1975 because of erosion damage.

Its owners, the West Pier Trust, said a �30m Lottery-funded restoration plan would still go ahead, but the owners of Brighton's Palace pier said lottery funding for a largely commercial venture constituted "unfair competition".

What do you think should happen to Brighton's West Pier? Should it be restored to its old glory or should it make way for a new structure? Are Britain's piers tacky?

This Talking Point has now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

I think the money should be spent on far more worthy causes, such as education, hospitals, etc etc. Who cares about an old pier that, quite frankly, is an eyesore anyway?
S, London, UK

There should be no question of saving it. Dom Esplen, UK

The pier has already been recognised as something of significant architectural merit (Otherwise it would not have its Grade I status). Certainly it is a beautiful design, far better than so many of the other piers around Britain. There should be no question of saving it. Brighton is unique in having two piers would it be the same with just one? It is horrendous that a company's greed could have led to the complete loss of part of our heritage.
Dom Esplen, UK

If my history is correct the majority of British Piers were built by private enterprise to make money. The world moved on, they were no longer profitable hence the decay. I do not think they warrant public money being spent on them. We must move away from the misguided belief that all that is old is good, and all that is modern is bad. There is good and bad design from all times. I do not want to live in a huge museum that dreams only of past glories.
Peter, UK

I lived in Brighton from 1979 to '89. West Pier was already a sinister, rusting wreck when we arrived. Loads of people talked about restoring it but nobody did anything in all that time. Now it's just a heap of wreckage and should be dynamited and cleared away. It's waste of time trying to revive exaggerated past glories when Brighton still has one working pier; there's a huge list of more useful ways of spending money.
Mick Burmeister, UK

The West Pier has been an eyesore for too long Gary Goring, UK

Hopefully the storm damage will hurry the start of the long overdue restoration project. The West Pier has been an eyesore for too long. Brighton today is a vibrant exciting city and the rebuilding of the pier can only add to its attraction. All the critics should just shut up. If they had their way none of our money would be spent on saving our heritage. Godspeed developers, may the restored pier be another jewel in Brighton's crown. I am a Londoner but as you can tell, I am also a Brightonphile and proud of it!
Gary Goring, UK

It's a piece of architectural heritage. We should restore it to its former glory for all to be reminded of the historic British era of which this pier is a part.
Emily, UK

This is ridiculous. Why stop at piers? If we're going to tear down everything that's historical but not exactly an oil painting to look at, why not take the hammers to old cinemas, theatres and National Trust buildings? There's an awful old waterworks building in Nottingham which is listed, but which remains because of its historical status. The piers represent that part of us all which, though we grudgingly admit it, reserves some sentimentality for the traditional British seaside. The piers are a protagonist within that sentiment.
Andy, Nottingham, UK

Looks like the historic pier is beyond restoration really. So a replica should be built on the same spot, would be a more cost effective project. If a replica is built, please, please do not let it become a kitschy and cheap slot machine and souvenir arcade! Let it be as it was in the Victorian era, a place where everyone can visit and relax.
Niilo, Finland

Brighton is a historic place, keep it that way Lynn, Tennessee, USA

Yes it should be rebuilt, and keep today's modernist architect's hands off it. They want some modern monstrosity without warmth, beauty or detail. Do you really want some square, flat, no detail facade stretching out into the ocean? Modern is not always more appealing. Brighton is a historic place, keep it that way.
Lynn, Tennessee, USA

Brighton has other piers. Why waste millions on propping up another one. Spend the money on the NHS, teachers, fire fighters, homeless and tackling famine overseas. Pull it into the sea, scrap it and spend the money on something that will significantly change people's lives.
Keith, UK

Maybe it is significant that this pier has withstood the test of time and sometimes extreme weather, and it is only through neglect since 1975 that this has happened, compared to the concrete rubbish put up since the sixties purporting to be "Architecture"
Elaine, UK

There are better ways of spending �30 million Chris Colville, UK

Brighton already has one pier. There are better ways of spending �30 million. How about a municipal community sports stadium, which would provide a home for the City's football club?
Chris Colville, UK

Perhaps we could please everyone by rebuilding the pier and using it as a hospital and a school, and maybe some affordable housing too.
Dave Brown, IK

Is it not testimony in itself that a dedicated core of the population want to restore these types of structures and preserve them for future generations? Whilst, at the same time, so many of us can not abhor the modern structures Mr Ferguson and his elite construct. They will not be happy until the whole of Britain looks like Croydon. When will they take note?
Les Bourne, UK

Excuse me if I'm wrong, but wasn't this pier eventually meant to collapse? It is made of iron which, over time, returns to its natural form. This collapse was inevitable.
Zorba Eisenhower, UK

I love the pier so much and really like looking at it when I go for a walk. Please can it be rebuilt soon.
Jerome, Brighton, UK

Brighton Council has been talking about restoring this eyesore for many years now. At least the weather has taken a decision for them. If a private company wants to take the risk for rebuilding, let them; but don't expect the public to pay for it in their rates!
Peter Connolly, England

It is an integral part of our city Martin, Brighton, UK

Mr Ferguson should mind his own business since the matter of rebuilding the West Pier is for the people and council of Brighton and Hove. I remember walking on the pier in the early 70's and feel very optimistic about its future. It is an integral part of our city.
Martin, Brighton, UK

No! Why should it? I recently heard it will cost in excess of �25 million to repair it. That could solve the current fire fighters' strike, or help in the redevelopment/regeneration of Brighton and its environs. These sorts of things should be left to private developers who might profit some way from the venture. The council/government should not embark in another 'elephant' project i.e. a regional mini dome.
Chux, UK

The Peer was a landmark for Brighton, of course it should be restored. It's more than heritage or architecture - its identity.
Mark, England

Surely one pier is enough for Brighton. Maintaining two piers in good order seems like a hard to justify extravagance - which presumably is why one has just collapsed.
Chris B, England

Of course it should be saved. It is a monument to our forefather's way of life. If the Eiffel Tower was in disrepair no one would even think to suggest it should be torn down. If you wanted to create a 'cultural desert' where learning was confined to number crunching in classrooms then you could spend the money on schools.
Ross, Scotland

The West Pier is a unique structure and deserves to be saved. I agree that too often mediocre buildings are restored just because they're old and not because they have any architectural merit, but this cannot be said of the West Pier; it is a graceful and extraordinary example of pier architecture.
Amy, Hove seafront, UK

When Brighton can afford a new pier, let the people decide on the design Hazel, UK

Buildings and structures get the Grade I or II listing yet nothing is done to maintain them and eventually they collapse as in the case of Brighton's pier. As that pier is now beyond repair, the scrap dealers might as well make the most of it by removing its remains. When Brighton can afford a new pier, let the people decide on the design.
Hazel, UK

If Brighton didn't have the Palace pier, it might be worth considering saving the West Pier. The project has been at risk for too many years and the developers have 'missed the boat' through lack of funding. Let the West Pier fall into the sea like the old Chain Pier. The authorities should amend the Grade I listing conditions to allow the pier to be demolished. Maybe funding could be found for a new pier, but I wouldn't back it! The liability for making the site safe below water level and clearing the debris is another major concern.
Stella Bianco, UK

The scandal is that the West Pier has been allowed to deteriorate so badly in the first place Ziggy, London, England

You could apply the same argument to so many places. Buckingham Palace, St Paul's, the Tower of London. The West Pier may not be as relevant as it was when it was built but it is still a fascinating structure and part of our history. Following Ferguson's thought processes through, we'd all be living in bland boxes. Old structures cost a lot to keep - ask anyone who lives in an old house. The scandal is that the West Pier has been allowed to deteriorate so badly in the first place.
Ziggy, London, England

Repair it and make better use of it than the Palace pier - don't miss an opportunity to impress.
Paul James, England

Restore them to their former glory, absolutely. I find so many current architects creating horrid monstrosities that, while they say are in keeping with the historical surroundings, stick out like a sore thumb! Mr Ferguson is dead wrong, we do promenade and I would prefer to do so on a restored Victorian pier.
Diane C, UK

This one is over a hundred years old and is still worth just looking at Nigel, England

Of course the pier should be rebuilt. People do promenade on these piers. This one is over a hundred years old and is still worth just looking at unlike all the modern monstrosities which today's so-called architects design.
Nigel, England

Umm, no! Brighton council has far bigger problems on its hands than having to spend millions on repairing something that really does not matter and never has. The money should be used on something useful like the schools in the area. When schools, hospitals etc are properly funded, only then, should white elephants like this receive public money.
Vish, UK

I seem to remember that it was this sort of arrogant attitude that led to the widespread municipal vandalism of the 1960s, when many old buildings were torn down and replaced by concrete monstrosities and tower blocks, many of which are now falling apart after lasting less than a third of the time that Brighton Pier has been in existence. The only thing that should be consigned to history is Mr Ferguson's attitude.
Mike S, UK

The west pier was a beautiful building, but its purpose has passed Chris, UK

Every dog has its day. The west pier was a beautiful building, but its purpose has passed and it doesn't really exist anymore. A restoration will amount to a complete rebuilt and then it won't be 'The West Pier' but a copy. And like the original it will lose money hand over fist, cost a fortune to maintain, make the trust go bust and land the council tax payers of Brighton and Hove with an enormous white elephant that they can't afford. Put the diseased old dog down now!
Chris, UK

Restore it to its full glory and look after the structure in future. It was a thing of beauty and engineering and it would be a shame for it to pass in to history as a wreck.
Dr Rohen Kapur, UK

Hmm, interesting comments by Mr Ferguson. Particularly in the light of the fact that possibly he, and certainly his colleagues are responsible for some of the biggest eyesores in this country. The use that the pier may be put to may be tacky but what concern is that of his? The structure itself was rather attractive, certainly preferable to the concrete messes he and his colleagues are so keen to erect, particularly in London
Collette Michael, UK

Or maybe it's time for elitist architects to be consigned to history!
Chris, Milton Keynes, England